The Man in Possession — page 209: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

2294 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. you whether you hire it or perform it yourselves. — It’s not a thing to be listened to, that’s plain. I sur- mise it all comes of that curious shyness and difh- dence of yours. You're shy even of hearing your own voices, unless they re backed up by some other noise. I wonder you don't hire in piano-organs or a band. A band’s a fine aid to conversation. I should say it was immeasurably superior to the human voice—or fingers.” It was while the indignant assemblage were digest- ing this rude speech that the male members of the party appeared—a black but welcome cloud—in the doorway. Most of them made for that fatal attrac- tion in gossamer and pearls. Sir Wilfred rushed to the piano to entreat Kate to sing another song, but mindful of Mrs. Lafaye’s remarks she declined to give further ‘‘ conversational cover.” He then tried to beguile her into the conservatory, bat she was obdurate and skilfully evaded any pos- sibility of a /e-a-éle. He had therefore to console himself by the remem- brance of her father’s counsels and sundry cigarettes in the smoking-room. Kate, with visions of ‘‘ pack- ing” on her mind, retired early to her maiden cham- ber, and before long she was joined in that sacred abode by Mrs. Lafaye, who proposed to ‘‘assist”’ at the operation of filling her one modest trunk. She folded up some laces and sash ribbons, and talked a great deal. Kate found her of considerable service. She gently insinuated at last that the business in hand might be expedited by her friend sitting herself COMI LOOO (Sri C(O)