“William Jay, on the other hand, seemed to have acquired the American habit of indiscriminately mixing claret, champagne and various forms of whisky punch. Dancing the third quadrille with her he confided, with flushed indiscretion and a loud voice, his anxieties about Mr. Scarbrough and his builders. ‘They’ve not been paid; they’re beginning to complain. But what can I do, Mrs. Purchis?’ ‘Keep quiet about it, I should think.’ Her answer came out more tart than she intended, but she had noticed ...for herself that Scarbrough had new lines in his face. He was not the only one. Had it been a mistake not to provide a downstairs retreat for the men? As it was they tended to get together in little, anxious-looking, low-talking groups, and more than once she had to use her hostess’s privilege to sweep down on them, break them up and ruthlessly find them all partners for the next dance. They did not, she thought, much like it, but, inevitably, they obeyed. After all, to them, she was Mrs.MoreLessRead More Read Less
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