Місіс Деллоуей

           Lucycamerunningfulltiltdownstairs,havingjustnippedintothedrawing-roomtosmoothacover,tostraightenachair,topauseamomentandfeelwhoevercameinmustthinkhowclean,howbright,howbeautifullycaredfor,whentheysawthebeautifulsilver,thebrassfire-irons,thenewchair-covers,andthecurtainsofyellowchintz:sheappraisedeach;heardaroarofvoices;peoplealreadycomingupfromdinner;shemustfly!

           ThePrimeMinisterwascoming,Agnessaid:soshehadheardthemsayinthedining-room,shesaid,cominginwithatrayofglasses.Diditmatter,diditmatterintheleast,onePrimeMinistermoreorless?ItmadenodifferenceatthishourofthenighttoMrs.Walkeramongtheplates,saucepans,cullenders,frying-pans,chickeninaspic,ice-creamfreezers,paredcrustsofbread,lemons,souptureens,andpuddingbasinswhich,howeverhardtheywashedupinthesculleryseemedtobeallontopofher,onthekitchentable,onchairs,whilethefireblaredandroared,theelectriclightsglared,andstillsupperhadtobelaid.Allshefeltwas,onePrimeMinistermoreorlessmadenotascrapofdifferencetoMrs.Walker.

           Theladiesweregoingupstairsalready,saidLucy;theladiesweregoingup,onebyone,Mrs.Dallowaywalkinglastandalmostalwayssendingbacksomemessagetothekitchen,“MylovetoMrs.Walker,”thatwasitonenight.Nextmorningtheywouldgooverthedishes—thesoup,thesalmon;thesalmon,Mrs.