36 CONVERSATIONAL HINTS 



nice to have a real feather to put in it. And we've 

 got such a treat for you. Mary, you tell them. 

 No, I'll tell them myself. If you're all very good 

 at lunch, we're going to walk with you a little 

 afterwards. There ! 



[But, at this awful prospect, consternation seizes 

 the men. CHALMERS (the host) makes frantic 

 signs to his ivife, who (having, somehow, been 

 6 squared ') affects not to see. A few desperate 

 attempts are made to express a polite joy; but 

 the lunch languishes, and gloom closes over 

 the melancholy scene. 



