Chapter 18

           Asusual,Lilythought.Therewasalwayssomethingthathadtobedoneatthatprecisemoment,somethingthatMrs.Ramsayhaddecidedforreasonsofherowntodoinstantly,itmightbewitheveryonestandingaboutmakingjokes,asnow,notbeingabletodecidewhethertheyweregoingintothesmoking-room,intothedrawing-room,uptotheattics.ThenonesawMrs.RamsayinthemidstofthishubbubstandingtherewithMinta’sarminhers,bethinkher,"Yes,itistimeforthatnow,"andsomakeoffatoncewithanairofsecrecytodosomethingalone.Anddirectlyshewentasortofdisintegrationsetin;theywaveredabout,wentdifferentways,Mr.BankestookCharlesTansleybythearmandwentofftofinishontheterracethediscussiontheyhadbegunatdinneraboutpolitics,thusgivingaturntothewholepoiseoftheevening,makingtheweightfallinadifferentdirection,asif,Lilythought,seeingthemgo,andhearingawordortwoaboutthepolicyoftheLabourParty,theyhadgoneupontothebridgeoftheshipandweretakingtheirbearings;thechangefrompoetrytopoliticsstruckherlikethat;soMr.BankesandCharlesTansleywentoffwhiletheothersstoodlookingatMrs.Ramsaygoingupstairsinthelamplightalone.Where,Lilywondered,wasshegoingsoquickly?

           Notthatshedidinfactrunorhurry;shewentindeedratherslowly.