The Salt Of The Earth by Fred M. White

In many respects Adela had never had a high opinion of Callader's mental capacity. She believed he was dull and slow of comprehension, and she hoped that she had not done him any injustice, for a man of alert intellect would have no difficulty in piecing together her remarks. However, Callader's face did not indicate that he had gleaned much. He stood in his usual, heavy, sullen way, like a man who is uncertain of his welcome. Yet it was very necessary to discover how much he had heard. Adela put a question or two to him, but his replies gave her no help, and he strolled over to the fireplace and took a cigarette-case from his pocket.

"What are you going to do about this affair?" he asked.