"And he told me," he said, playing little chords where I shall put full stops, "The Coavinses had left. Three children. No mother. And that Coavinses' profession. Being unpopular. The rising Coavinses. Were at a considerable disadvantage."

"And he told me," he said, playing little chords between each phrase, "that Coavinses had left. Three children. No mother. And that his profession. Being unpopular. They were at a disadvantage."
