[She looks surprised to see him but doesn't make a noise, nods and continues listening]
"Edmond... Dantés?" [There's an awkward tone to the woman's voice, but the boy presses on, seemingly undeterred.]
"Yeah. That was the name of the sender on a letter that came for Father today. The instant Father saw that name, he started acting strangely for some reason. ... What's the matter, Mother?"
"It's nothing. I haven't been sleeping well lately, that's all."
"Hmm, with the election almost here, I bet you're tired."
"Yes, I bet you're right. That's probably it."
[Through the tiniest crack in the door, you can see the boy get up from the lush sofa he's sitting on with his mother and head towards the door. He pauses just before he gets to the door knob and smiles back at the woman.]