Marthe said suddenly, 'How many souls on this earth call you Francis? Three? Or perhaps four?'For a moment he looked at her unsmiling; and for a moment she wished, angrily that she could recall the question. Then quite suddenly he smiled, and held out his hand. 'Five,' he said. 'Surely? Since last night.
Marthe questions Francis about how many people on Earth call him by that name, suggesting confusion or curiosity about his identity. She wonders if it's three or maybe four, indicating her uncertainty or perhaps her feelings of closeness or distance from him. Her tone shows she is trying to understand more about his connections with others.
Francis's reaction is initially unsmiling and thoughtful, possibly revealing a moment of introspection or seriousness. However, he quickly changes to a warm smile and confidently states that there are five people calling him Francis, implying a recent addition or change. His response hints at a personal connection or an event that led to the increase in people using his name.
