The week after Ethel's return to town, she was surprised one afternoon when in response to a note she had sent him her husband's partner came to see her.

She had thought it would be more difficult.
"Joe won't interrupt us," he said.

"I put work in his way.

He'll be home late." Tall, gaunt and angular, somewhat stooped, Nourse stood looking down at her; and as, perplexed and excited, Ethel scanned his visage, so heavy in spite of its narrow lines, she saw an expression in which contempt was tempered by a sort of regret and weariness.

And of course he was awkward, too.