THE WINDOW 109'The children are disgraceful,' she said, sighing.He said something about punctuality being one ofthe minor virtues which we do not acquire until laterin life.

‘If at all,’ said Mrs Ramsay merely to fill up space,

thinking what an old maid William was becoming.

Conscious of his treachery, conscious of her wish to

talk about something more intimate, yet out of moodfor it at present, he felt come over him the disagree-ableness of life, sitting there, waiting. Perhaps theothers were saying something interesting? Whatwere they saying?

That the fishing season was bad; that the menwere emigrating. They were talking about wagesand unemployment. The young man was abusingthe government. William Bankes, thinking what arelief it was to catch on to something of this sortwhen private life was disagreeable, heard him saysomething about ‘one of the most scandalous acts ofthe present government.’ Lily was listening; MrsRamsay was listening; they were all listening. Butalready bored, Lily felt that something was lacking;Mr Bankes felt that something was lacking. Pullingher shawl round her Mrs Ramsay felt that somethingwas lacking. All of them bending themselves tolisten thought: ‘Pray heaven that the inside of mymind may not be exposed,’ for each thought, ‘Theothers are feeling this. They are outraged and in-dignant with the government about the fishermen.Whereas, I feel nothing at all.' But perhaps, thoughtMr Bankes, as he looked at Mr Tansley, here is theman. One was always waiting for the man. Therewas always a chance. At any moment the leader
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