How does Steve respond to Mimi's feelings of loneliness in the story, The Lovely Leave?

Steve does not want to hear Mimi's complaints of loneliness. He tries to avoid the issue with comments such as, "That's nonsense," "Don't do that kind of talk," and "I can't go through this kind of thing." When Mimi responds with anger and coldness, he finally tells her, '"I can't talk about it. I can't even think about it—because if I did I couldn't do my job.'"