She thought the letter a respectable performance, nothing more.

Thereupon he was much annoyed.

If his letter did not please her she might write another! And so instead of bursting out in loverlike speeches and exchanging kisses, as their wont was, they sat coldly facing one another at the table.

Nevertheless, she poured him out a cup of tea.
"Here's a filthy mess," he cried after dipping his lips in the mixture.
"You've put salt in it, you have!" Nana was unlucky enough to shrug her shoulders, and at that he grew furious.
"Aha! Things are taking a wrong turn tonight!" And with that the quarrel began.

It was only ten by the clock, and this was a way of killing time.