"Poor Jinny. Poor gregarious Jinny."
She shook her head.
"It was so insidious. I can't think, I really can't think how it began."
"It began with those two spluttering imbecilities you asked me to dine with."
"Oh no, poor things, they haven't hurt me. They've gone on to dine at other tables. They're in it, too. They're torn and devoured. They dine and are dined on."
"But, my dear child, you must stop it."
"If I could. If I could only break loose and get away."
"Get away. What keeps you?"
"Everything keeps me."
"By everything you mean——?"