Місіс Деллоуей

           Andshehadfiveboys!

           SheandPeterhadsettleddowntogether.Theyweretalking:itseemedsofamiliar—thattheyshouldbetalking.Theywoulddiscussthepast.Withthetwoofthem(moreeventhanwithRichard)shesharedherpast;thegarden;thetrees;oldJosephBreitkopfsingingBrahmswithoutanyvoice;thedrawing-roomwallpaper;thesmellofthemats.ApartofthisSallymustalwaysbe;Petermustalwaysbe.Butshemustleavethem.ThereweretheBradshaws,whomshedisliked.ShemustgouptoLadyBradshaw(ingreyandsilver,balancinglikeasea-lionattheedgeofitstank,barkingforinvitations,Duchesses,thetypicalsuccessfulman’swife),shemustgouptoLadyBradshawandsay...

           ButLadyBradshawanticipatedher.

           “Weareshockinglylate,dearMrs.Dalloway,wehardlydaredtocomein,”shesaid.

           AndSirWilliam,wholookedverydistinguished,withhisgreyhairandblueeyes,saidyes;theyhadnotbeenabletoresistthetemptation.HewastalkingtoRichardaboutthatBillprobably,whichtheywantedtogetthroughtheCommons.Whydidthesightofhim,talkingtoRichard,curlherup?Helookedwhathewas,agreatdoctor.Amanabsolutelyattheheadofhisprofession,verypowerful,ratherworn.Forthinkwhatcasescamebeforehim—peopleintheuttermostdepthsofmisery;peopleonthevergeofinsanity;husbandsandwives.Hehadtodecidequestionsofappallingdifficulty.Yet—whatshefeltwas,onewouldn’tlikeSirWilliamtoseeoneunhappy.