Arthur didn't get it; of all the things he had said to her tonight, 'acting like a wife' had been mean, but not notably meaner than saying he didn't want her help. Maybe Melody felt more inadequate than he'd expected. She certainly ought to; maybe Ben loved her, but he deserved better.

And, he realized: he did not have to put up with this. There was no reason that he should be here, talking to Mrs. Crouch - he did not like her, did not have an interest in her, did not have to listen to her.

Arthur turned around and began to walk away.

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