Миссис Дэллоуэй

           Buttobefrank(andshefeltthatPeterwasanoldfriend,arealfriend—didabsencematter?diddistancematter?Shehadoftenwantedtowritetohim,buttornitup,yetfeltheunderstood,forpeopleunderstandwithoutthingsbeingsaid,asonerealisesgrowingold,andoldshewas,hadbeenthatafternoontoseehersonsatEton,wheretheyhadthemumps),tobequitefrankthen,howcouldClarissahavedoneit?—marriedRichardDalloway?asportsman,amanwhocaredonlyfordogs.Literally,whenhecameintotheroomhesmeltofthestables.Andthenallthis?Shewavedherhand.

           HughWhitbreaditwas,strollingpastinhiswhitewaistcoat,dim,fat,blind,pasteverythinghelooked,exceptself-esteemandcomfort.

           “He’snotgoingtorecogniseUS,”saidSally,andreallyshehadn’tthecourage—sothatwasHugh!theadmirableHugh!

           “Andwhatdoeshedo?”sheaskedPeter.

           HeblackedtheKing’sbootsorcountedbottlesatWindsor,Petertoldher.Peterkepthissharptonguestill!ButSallymustbefrank,Petersaid.Thatkissnow,Hugh’s.

           Onthelips,sheassuredhim,inthesmoking-roomoneevening.ShewentstraighttoClarissainarage.Hughdidn’tdosuchthings!Clarissasaid,theadmirableHugh!Hugh’ssockswerewithoutexceptionthemostbeautifulshehadeverseen—andnowhiseveningdress.Perfect!Andhadhechildren?

           “EverybodyintheroomhassixsonsatEton,”Petertoldher,excepthimself.