He got up heavily, and came to his dinner in his overcoat and with his hat on, without uttering a word.

His silence in itself had nothing startlingly unusual in this household, hidden in the shades of the sordid street seldom touched by the sun, behind the dim shop with its wares of disreputable rubbish.

Only that day Mr Verloc's taciturnity was so obviously thoughtful that the two women were impressed by it.

They sat silent themselves, keeping a watchful eye on poor Stevie, lest he should break out into one of his fits of loquacity.

He faced Mr Verloc across the table, and remained very good and quiet, staring vacantly.