To his surprise, the District Attorney rose from his comfortable
position and, leaning across the table, held out his hand.
Mannie took it awkwardly.

"That's all right," he said.

"Sure, it's all right," said the District Attorney.

From the hall there was the sound of light, quick steps, and
Mannie, happy to escape from a situation he did not understand,
ran to the door.

"She's coming," he said. He opened the door and, as Vera
entered, he slipped past her and closed it behind him.

Vera walked directly to the chair at the top of the centre
table. She was nervous, and she was conscious that that fact was
evident. To avoid shaking hands with her visitor, she carried
her own clasped in front of her, with the fingers interlaced.
She tried to speak in her usual suave, professional tone. "How
do you do?" she said.

But Winthrop would not be denied. With a smile that showed his
pleasure at again seeing her, he advanced eagerly, with his hand
outstretched. "How are you?" he exclaimed. "Aren't you going to
shake hands with me?" he demanded. "With an old friend?"

Vera gave him her hand quickly, and then, seating herself at the
table, picked up the ivory pointer.