Місіс Деллоуей

           Shehadhadahardtimeofit,andcouldn’thelpsmilingatagirllikethat.You’llgetmarried,foryou’reprettyenough,thoughtMrs.Dempster.Getmarried,shethought,andthenyou’llknow.Oh,thecooks,andsoon.Everymanhashisways.ButwhetherI’dhavechosenquitelikethatifIcouldhaveknown,thoughtMrs.Dempster,andcouldnothelpwishingtowhisperawordtoMaisieJohnson;tofeelonthecreasedpouchofherwornoldfacethekissofpity.Forit’sbeenahardlife,thoughtMrs.Dempster.Whathadn’tshegiventoit?Roses;figure;herfeettoo.(Shedrewtheknobbedlumpsbeneathherskirt.)

           Roses,shethoughtsardonically.Alltrash,m’dear.Forreally,whatwitheating,drinking,andmating,thebaddaysandgood,lifehadbeennomerematterofroses,andwhatwasmore,letmetellyou,CarrieDempsterhadnowishtochangeherlotwithanywoman’sinKentishTown!But,sheimplored,pity.Pity,forthelossofroses.PitysheaskedofMaisieJohnson,standingbythehyacinthbeds.

           Ah,butthataeroplane!Hadn’tMrs.Dempsteralwayslongedtoseeforeignparts?Shehadanephew,amissionary.Itsoaredandshot.ShealwayswentontheseaatMargate,notouto’sightofland,butshehadnopatiencewithwomenwhowereafraidofwater.Itsweptandfell.Herstomachwasinhermouth.Upagain.There’safineyoungfelleraboardofit,Mrs.