He had not gone near the sick-room since his initial visit, earlier in the day, literally obeying the command of the sick man: to talk matters over with Anne before coming again to see him.
"I am sorry to have kept you waiting," she said simply, as she advanced into the room.

"I have been talking over the telephone with my mother.

She does not come here any more.

It has been nearly three weeks since she last came to see me.

The dread of it all, don't you know.