Місіс Деллоуей

           Shehadtheoddestsenseofbeingherselfinvisible;unseen;unknown;therebeingnomoremarrying,nomorehavingofchildrennow,butonlythisastonishingandrathersolemnprogresswiththerestofthem,upBondStreet,thisbeingMrs.Dalloway;notevenClarissaanymore;thisbeingMrs.RichardDalloway.

           BondStreetfascinatedher;BondStreetearlyinthemorningintheseason;itsflagsflying;itsshops;nosplash;noglitter;onerolloftweedintheshopwhereherfatherhadboughthissuitsforfiftyyears;afewpearls;salmononaniceblock.

           “Thatisall,”shesaid,lookingatthefishmonger’s.“Thatisall,”sherepeated,pausingforamomentatthewindowofagloveshopwhere,beforetheWar,youcouldbuyalmostperfectgloves.AndheroldUncleWilliamusedtosayaladyisknownbyhershoesandhergloves.HehadturnedonhisbedonemorninginthemiddleoftheWar.Hehadsaid,“Ihavehadenough.”Glovesandshoes;shehadapassionforgloves;butherowndaughter,herElizabeth,carednotastrawforeitherofthem.

           Notastraw,shethought,goingonupBondStreettoashopwheretheykeptflowersforherwhenshegaveaparty.Elizabethreallycaredforherdogmostofall.Thewholehousethismorningsmeltoftar.Still,betterpoorGrizzlethanMissKilman;betterdistemperandtarandalltherestofitthansittingmewedinastuffybedroomwithaprayerbook!Betteranything,shewasinclinedtosay.