His companion had struck the right note.

This large man was happiest when he was tiring himself out.
"Yes; but about Etta ?" he said.
And the sound of his voice made Steinmetz wince.

There is nothing so heartrending as the sight of dumb suffering.
"You must see her," answered he reflectively.

"You must see her, of course.

She may be able to explain." He looked across the table beneath his shaggy gray eyebrows.