"Stop it!" His eyes sank.

"I can't bear to see you suffer." "You don't mean a word of what you've just said," she went on.

"You are all upset, as I am.

You are his friend and mine." Defiantly: "And I love him, and you know I do." It was the tone of one giving another something that must be repeated by rote.

"That's it," said he, somewhat sullenly, but with no hint of protest.