She is about fifty-five years old. Every time she
exhales her breath she utters a gentle moan, which is regularly
audible, even when she speaks, as a soft_--m.
MRS. SPILLER
[_In a servile, affectedly melancholy, minor tone. Very softly._] His
lordship has exactly the identical sideboard--m--.
HELEN
[_To MRS. KRAUSE._] Mama, don't you think we had better sit down first
and then--
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Turns with lightning-like rapidity to HELEN and transfixes her with a
withering look; harshly and masterfully._] Is that proper?
[_She is about to sit down but remembers that grace has not been
said. Mechanically she folds her hands without, however, mastering
her malignity._
MRS. SPILLER
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. May thy gifts to us be blest.
[_All take their seats noisily. The embarrassing situation is tided
over by the passing and repassing of dishes, which takes some time._
HOFFMANN
[_To LOTH._] Help yourself, old fellow, won't you? Oysters?
LOTH
I'll try them. They're the first I've ever eaten.
MRS. KRAUSE
[_Has just sucked down an oyster noisily._] This season, you mean.
LOTH
No, I mean at all.
[_MRS.
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