That Thursday, when he did not turn up at the door at the usual time, she became uneasy and spent the rest of the afternoon waiting for him in the front sitting room. At five past six Hubert turned the corner of the terrace and walked slowly up to the house, as he did every night. When she saw Hubert she realized that the man with the crooked hand would not be coming at all. She went and took his money off the hall table, where she had left it early in the day, and put it into a cup on the kitchen dresser. Hubert let himself in with his key, and finding the tea not ready, not even started, he inquired in surprise if he was early. He compared his watch with the clock on the sitting-room mantelpiece, and called cheerfully down to the kitchen that he would like a boiled egg.

When they were sitting at the table having their tea, she told him about meeting the poor man on the bridge and about him not turning up at the door.

“You probably frightened the life out of him,” Hubert said placidly. “Running up to him like that with your hand out, especially since there was nothing in it.”

“But I was only going to say a word to him; there’s no harm in that.”

“All you have to do is look at that man’s face, for God’s sake. A man like that has no use for your fuss and talk, Rose. Give him whatever you want to give him, but let him alone.”

“But he looked so glad to see me, Hubert. I never saw anybody in my life so glad to see me.”

“He’ll know better next time. How was he to know you’d want to embrace him.”

“Hubert, the way you always put me in the wrong.”

“Rose, honey, you bring it on yourself. You will not get it through your head that in this life you have to learn to leave well enough alone.”

After a moment of silence, to give him time to take the top off his egg, he said consolingly that he was sure the man with the crooked hand would be back, as soon as he got over his fright. He added that if the man didn’t come back, it might be just as well, since it would save them a little money. He was only joking, saying that. He meant no harm.