Chapter 16

           Wellthen,Nancyhadgonewiththem,Mrs.Ramsaysupposed,wondering,assheputdownabrush,tookupacomb,andsaid"Comein"toatapatthedoor(JasperandRosecamein),whetherthefactthatNancywaswiththemmadeitlesslikelyormorelikelythatanythingwouldhappen;itmadeitlesslikely,somehow,Mrs.Ramsayfelt,veryirrationally,exceptthatafterallholocaustonsuchascalewasnotprobable.Theycouldnotallbedrowned.Andagainshefeltaloneinthepresenceofheroldantagonist,life.

           JasperandRosesaidthatMildredwantedtoknowwhethersheshouldwaitdinner.

           "NotfortheQueenofEngland,"saidMrs.Ramsayemphatically.

           "NotfortheEmpressofMexico,"sheadded,laughingatJasper;forhesharedhismother’svice:he,too,exaggerated.

           AndifRoseliked,shesaid,whileJaspertookthemessage,shemightchoosewhichjewelsshewastowear.Whentherearefifteenpeoplesittingdowntodinner,onecannotkeepthingswaitingforever.Shewasnowbeginningtofeelannoyedwiththemforbeingsolate;itwasinconsiderateofthem,anditannoyedherontopofheranxietyaboutthem,thattheyshouldchoosethisverynighttobeoutlate,when,infact,shewishedthedinnertobeparticularlynice,sinceWilliamBankeshadatlastconsentedtodinewiththem;andtheywerehavingMildred’smasterpiece—BOEUFENDAUBE.Everythingdependeduponthingsbeingserveduptotheprecisemomenttheywereready.Thebeef,thebayleaf,andthewine—allmustbedonetoaturn.Tokeepitwaitingwasoutofthequestion.