Before Tobias could reply, Anthony rose and Tobias looked up at him. It was clear enough that Ben and Anthony knew each other and that did not put him at ease at all.

Ben seemed to have forgotten his request. "You tryin' to live of another person's charity again?" he asked Anthony in a tone that wasn't a question.

That shocked Tobias and he stood up as well. "Ben. Let's be civil."

Alice sat palely and glanced up and the three men with tired disinterest. Then she focused her attention on the table, plucking at a loose splinter in the board.