"...Eh?"

Bless his soul, but he was lost. Terribly lost. So buried was he in ruminations on his own debts, difficulties, and duties that he hadn't the slightest notion that Effie might feel at all beholden to him. After all, as far as he was concerned, it was an officer's right and privilege to lend aid to even trilling, troublesome women.

But he was not so lost that he couldn't stoop -- lean -- and catch the falling book. Snapping it shut as it fluttered through the air.