Місіс Деллоуей

           Hehadn’tblamedherformindingthefact,sinceinthosedaysagirlbroughtupasshewas,knewnothing,butitwashermannerthatannoyedhim;timid;hard;somethingarrogant;unimaginative;prudish.“Thedeathofthesoul.”Hehadsaidthatinstinctively,ticketingthemomentasheusedtodo—thedeathofhersoul.

           Everyonewobbled;everyoneseemedtobow,asshespoke,andthentostandupdifferent.HecouldseeSallySeton,likeachildwhohasbeeninmischief,leaningforward,ratherflushed,wantingtotalk,butafraid,andClarissadidfrightenpeople.(ShewasClarissa’sgreatestfriend,alwaysabouttheplace,totallyunlikeher,anattractivecreature,handsome,dark,withthereputationinthosedaysofgreatdaringandheusedtogivehercigars,whichshesmokedinherbedroom.ShehadeitherbeenengagedtosomebodyorquarrelledwithherfamilyandoldParrydislikedthembothequally,whichwasagreatbond.)ThenClarissa,stillwithanairofbeingoffendedwiththemall,gotup,madesomeexcuse,andwentoff,alone.Assheopenedthedoor,incamethatgreatshaggydogwhichranaftersheep.Sheflungherselfuponhim,wentintoraptures.ItwasasifshesaidtoPeter—itwasallaimedathim,heknew—“Iknowyouthoughtmeabsurdaboutthatwomanjustnow;butseehowextraordinarilysympatheticIam;seehowIlovemyRob!”

           Theyhadalwaysthisqueerpowerofcommunicatingwithoutwords.Sheknewdirectlyhecriticisedher.