Gabriel’s refusal to add anything seemed to confuse Chéri, who lacked some back story to understand the tension. Confused, he kept looking at Gabriel and managed to ask, as the last thing before Malachi made his entrance “Did I say something wrong?” Clearly interpreting what was directed at Francis as something directed to them.

Chéri had no idea was was being said, but they could not prevent themselves from looking sympathetic when Francis flinched at Father Brennan’s entrance. It was brief but it was nor the first or the second time Chéri acknowledged Francis’s presence and they didn’t look mean or offended by him, not at all. In fact, they had only smiled with curiosity and cheerfulness so far, which on them felt very authentic, unless they didn’t want them to.

They puffed slightly. Was it casual or had they noticed Malachi’s smile shrinking? “Yes, Father.” they answered, with the tone pupils normally reserve for the school master “Have you slept well?” no detectable irony, not right away. In noticing Malachi was not eating, offended on behalf of the food -they couldn’t know their table lacked something- Chéri said “The milk is very good,” encouraging Malachi to actually have breakfast with them.