But he did not go incontinently to impart to her that information.

First of all, it was clear to him that this evening was no time for business.

He got up to close the street door and put the gas out in the shop.
Having thus assured a solitude around his hearthstone Mr Verloc walked into the parlour, and glanced down into the kitchen.

Mrs Verloc was sitting in the place where poor Stevie usually established himself of an evening with paper and pencil for the pastime of drawing these coruscations of innumerable circles suggesting chaos and eternity.

Her arms were folded on the table, and her head was lying on her arms.