Миссис Дэллоуэй

           ”

           ButwhyshouldsheinviteallthedullwomeninLondontoherparties?WhyshouldMrs.Marshaminterfere?AndtherewasElizabethclosetedallthistimewithDorisKilman.Anythingmorenauseatingshecouldnotconceive.Prayeratthishourwiththatwoman.Andthesoundofthebellfloodedtheroomwithitsmelancholywave;whichreceded,andgathereditselftogethertofalloncemore,whensheheard,distractingly,somethingfumbling,somethingscratchingatthedoor.Whoatthishour?Three,goodHeavens!Threealready!Forwithoverpoweringdirectnessanddignitytheclockstruckthree;andsheheardnothingelse;butthedoorhandleslippedroundandincameRichard!Whatasurprise!IncameRichard,holdingoutflowers.Shehadfailedhim,onceatConstantinople;andLadyBruton,whoselunchpartiesweresaidtobeextraordinarilyamusing,hadnotaskedher.Hewasholdingoutflowers—roses,redandwhiteroses.(Buthecouldnotbringhimselftosayhelovedher;notinsomanywords.)

           Buthowlovely,shesaid,takinghisflowers.Sheunderstood;sheunderstoodwithouthisspeaking;hisClarissa.Sheputtheminvasesonthemantelpiece.Howlovelytheylooked!shesaid.Andwasitamusing,sheasked?HadLadyBrutonaskedafterher?PeterWalshwasback.Mrs.Marshamhadwritten.MustsheaskEllieHenderson?ThatwomanKilmanwasupstairs.

           “Butletussitdownforfiveminutes,”saidRichard.

           Italllookedsoempty.Allthechairswereagainstthewall.