Місіс Деллоуей

           OneofthethingsherememberedbestwasanargumentoneSundaymorningatBourtonaboutwomen’srights(thatantediluviantopic),whenSallysuddenlylosthertemper,flaredup,andtoldHughthatherepresentedallthatwasmostdetestableinBritishmiddle-classlife.Shetoldhimthatsheconsideredhimresponsibleforthestateof“thosepoorgirlsinPiccadilly”—Hugh,theperfectgentleman,poorHugh!—neverdidamanlookmorehorrified!Shediditonpurposeshesaidafterwards(fortheyusedtogettogetherinthevegetablegardenandcomparenotes).“He’sreadnothing,thoughtnothing,feltnothing,”hecouldhearhersayinginthatveryemphaticvoicewhichcarriedsomuchfartherthansheknew.ThestableboyshadmorelifeinthemthanHugh,shesaid.Hewasaperfectspecimenofthepublicschooltype,shesaid.NocountrybutEnglandcouldhaveproducedhim.Shewasreallyspiteful,forsomereason;hadsomegrudgeagainsthim.Somethinghadhappened—heforgotwhat—inthesmoking-room.Hehadinsultedher—kissedher?Incredible!NobodybelievedawordagainstHughofcourse.Whocould?KissingSallyinthesmoking-room!IfithadbeensomeHonourableEdithorLadyViolet,perhaps;butnotthatragamuffinSallywithoutapennytohername,andafatheroramothergamblingatMonteCarlo.ForofallthepeoplehehadevermetHughwasthegreatestsnob—themostobsequious—no,hedidn’tcringeexactly.Hewastoomuchofaprigforthat.