"That's too kind," they said.
Cecilia Adler smiled warmly. "Friends of my Ian are my friends too. You're all one of us."
As soon as she finished speaking, someone immediately declared:
"Ian Quincy, from now on, you're my brother—closer than a real brother!"
"Count me in."
Ian Quincy remained silent. "They never lift a finger unless there's something in it for them! Hypocrites!" he thought. For his wife's sake, however, he didn't expose them.
Seeing that she had won them over enough, Cecilia prepared to leave. "Ian, I'll head back now. Call me if you need anything."
"I'll walk you out." Ian made a move to set down his lunchbox but was stopped by Cecilia. "No need. Do you need to clear the log with the dorm manager?"
"Just walk right out," Ian said.
