She had known that he never knew what she would do or say next, and her knowledge had amused and carried her away.

But now he was so self-possessed.

Very friendly they were, and they met often--in the ward for a few sentences that meant much to each of them; down town by arrangement in a cafe, or once or twice for dinner; and once for a day in the country, though not alone; and he was always the same.

Sometimes, on night duty, she would grope for an adjective to fit him, and could only think of "tender." He was that.

And she hated it, or all but hated it.