“I believe it is customary in good society to take some slight
refreshment at five o’clock.” she has some culturedness in there
somewhere
“ i agree wholeheartedly ! ” ferdinand tips a splash of milk into his tea, then places the pitcher back on the tray, gentle finger coaxing it to face her handle-first. “ it is far too taxing on the spirit to go without daily refreshments, even in times of war. ”
he stirs his tea, practiced, swirled; careful not to let the teaspoon meet the cup’s rim for even a brief rendezvous.
“ in fact, forget customary ----- it is necessary. ” then, glancing up, he opens his hand to the plate between them, tiered with precisely cut bread slices, though few. vegetables are in slim supply these days. “ please, do try some of the cucumber sandwiches. i made them fresh from the garden. ”