It served the dual purpose of finishing quickly and minimizing interaction.
"Cecilia, have some shrimp," I said, peeling a large prawn and placing it on her plate.
Her movements froze momentarily.
Then she responded with excessive enthusiasm: "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
After she ate the shrimp, I placed a lamb chop on her plate. "Cecilia, have some meat."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Cecilia, some soup?" I ladled broth into a bowl for her.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Cecilia..."
"Yes, yes! Thank you, thank you!"
Her automated responses had malfunctioned.
She bit down on her soup ladle, turning her head away and briefly closing her eyes in embarrassment.
I watched her with undisguised amusement, my lips curving into something between a smile and exasperation.
After a long
