Щоденник незначної особи

           —Lupin’sroomslookedverynice;butthedinnerwas,Ithought,alittletoogrand,especiallyashecommencedwithchampagnestraightoff.IalsothinkLupinmighthavetoldusthatheandMr.andMrs.MurrayPoshandMissPoshweregoingtoputonfulleveningdress.Knowingthatthedinnerwasonlyforussix,weneverdreameditwouldbeafulldressaffair.Ihadnoappetite.Itwasquitetwentyminutespasteightbeforewesatdowntodinner.AtsixIcouldhaveeatenaheartymeal.Ihadabitofbread-and-butteratthathour,feelingfamished,andIexpectthatpartlyspoiledmyappetite.

           WewereintroducedtoMissPosh,whomLupincalled“LillieGirl,”asifhehadknownherallhislife.Shewasverytall,ratherplain,andIthoughtshewasalittlepaintedroundtheeyes.IhopeIamwrong;butshehadsuchfairhair,andyethereyebrowswereblack.Shelookedaboutthirty.IdidnotlikethewayshekeptgigglingandgivingLupinsmacksandpinchinghim.Thenherlaughwasasortofascreamthatwentrightthroughmyears,allthemoreirritatingbecausetherewasnothingtolaughat.Infact,CarrieandIwerenotatallprepossessedwithher.Theyallsmokedcigarettesafterdinner,includingMissPosh,whostartledCarriebysaying:“Don’tyousmoke,dear?”IansweredforCarrie,andsaid:“Mrs.CharlesPooterhasnotarrivedatityet,”whereuponMissPoshgaveoneofherpiercinglaughsagain.

           Mrs.