Oh she doesn't like that, but the look on her face says 'irritation', not 'wrath'. Cerrit's host pulls out his chair for him with an inviting gesture. "I wasn't fond of that ghastly affair either, but unfortunately revulsion doesn't sustain me in the absence of food. You are my first guest of what I hope will be many more to come."

She takes her seat, removing the cigar from her mouth. "Quite aside from Dahlia's ringing endorsement, my adoptive mother always said to tackle the hardest job first. Our shared experience might make this occasion unpleasant, but it will soothe the ones to come."