He was clearly oblivious of his surroundings; whereupon
Hirst, perceiving that Hewet's mind was a complete blank, fixed his
attention more closely upon his fellow-creatures. He was too far from
them, however, to hear what they were saying, but it pleased him to
construct little theories about them from their gestures and appearance.
Mrs. Thornbury had received a great many letters. She was completely
engrossed in them. When she had finished a page she handed it to her
husband, or gave him the sense of what she was reading in a series of
short quotations linked together by a sound at the back of her throat.
"Evie writes that George has gone to Glasgow. 'He finds Mr. Chadbourne
so nice to work with, and we hope to spend Christmas together, but I
should not like to move Betty and Alfred any great distance (no, quite
right), though it is difficult to imagine cold weather in this heat. . . .
Eleanor and Roger drove over in the new trap. . . . Eleanor certainly
looked more like herself than I've seen her since the winter. She has
put Baby on three bottles now, which I'm sure is wise (I'm sure it is
too), and so gets better nights. . . . My hair still falls out. I find
it on the pillow! But I am cheered by hearing from Tottie Hall Green.
. . . Muriel is in Torquay enjoying herself greatly at dances. She _is_
going to show her black put after all.
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