William was torn between an interested desire to be safely out of the way when the dénouement took place and a disinterested desire to witness the dénouement. The latter won and he stood at the back of the group with a sphinx-like expression upon his freckled face....
“I’LL HAVE ONE MORE TRY,” SAID UNCLE FREDERICK,
AND ENTERED THE ROOM. “GOOD AFTERNOON,” HE
BELLOWED.
They waited in silence for some minutes then Aunt Emma said, “Well, she’ll stay for ever it seems to me if someone doesn’t send her away. Frederick, go and turn her out.”
They all crept into the hall. Uncle Frederick went just inside and coughed loudly. Annabel did not move. Uncle Frederick came back.
“Deaf!” he whispered. “Stone deaf! Someone else try.”
Ethel advanced boldly into the middle of the room. “Good afternoon,” she said clearly and sweetly.
Annabel did not move. Ethel returned.
ANNABEL DID NOT MOVE.