He gave her a very peculiar look, and pursed his lips for an instant as if about to whistle.

"And if the unfortunate partner objected ?" Olga began vigorously to cut some bread.

"He would have to put up with it," she said.
Max rose without comment and went to the ham.

There followed a somewhat marked silence as he commenced to carve it.

Then: "Pardon my persistence, fair lady," he said.