Miss Campion, wouldn't you like to butter some toast for me?
You do it better than anyone I know.

And I'm deuced hungry." She turned away half-mechanically, met his smile of cheery effrontery, and suddenly flashed him a smile in return.
"What a gross flatterer you are!" she said "Allegro, aren't you jealous?
Which piece of toast do you fancy, Nick?
Can I cut up some ham for you as well ?" The tension was over and Olga breathed again.

Max continued his breakfast with an inscrutable countenance, finished it, and departed to the surgery.
Violet did not so much as glance up at his departure.

She was wrangling with Nick over the best means of attacking a boiled egg with one hand.
There was no longer the faintest hint of tragedy in her demeanour.

Yet Olga went about her own duties with a heart like lead.