"I'm glad you're willing to talk. I promise that what we discuss will stay between the two of us." Kraft brewed some hot tea and brought over an armchair with a cushion and armrests. "Kup, would you mind stepping out for a while? Remember to close the door behind you."
Knowing her tastes, he added two spoonfuls of honey to one of the cups and pushed it toward her. "Relax. Whatever it is, it won't affect our good relationship. I'll only look at it in terms of your treatment."
He adjusted his expression, settling on a gentle smile that didn't seem condescending.
It wasn't difficult. All he had to do was follow his feelings, and a natural smile came easily. Everything had been going well lately. The ether anesthesia demonstration had been a huge success, and the momentum from the operation had helped them launch the society's first achievement since its founding: Artificial Pneumothorax.
He was also gradually being given more authority over the funds. He could withdraw money directly from Rivers University, and the amounts were enough to make it hard not to smile. If necessary, he could even ask for assistance beyond financial support, including the use of physical force to resolve problems, at their discretion.
The phrase "at their discretion" deserved some scrutiny, but Martin seemed to have received a promotion recently. Kraft was confident the society would be shown some discretion in its favor within Westminster.
The only remaining concern was Yvonne. But things seemed to have taken a sudden turn for the better, and perhaps the information she provided could help with her condition.
"Don't rush. I don't have anything pressing to do, so take your time." Kraft took a sip of tea, then brought a plate of cookies to the table. He put the