She was silent, and for a moment the animation left her face.
She sat back, looked away from him and said absently, "The seminar – some of the things you said – it was very helpful."
He smiled and shook his head. "You didn't need the seminar. But I'm glad you could be there. It was a good seminar I think."
"Oh, it's shameful!" she blurted out. "It's embarrassing. The seminar – you were – I had to restart it after the desk.
Smith, surprised by her outburst, didn't speak for a moment. Then he said, "You shouldn't worry. These things happen. It will all work out in time. It really doesn't matter."
And suddenly, after he said the words, it didn't matter anymore. For a moment he realized the truth of what he was saying, and for the first time in months he felt the weight of a desperation l
