Next came the two young men whom Mrs.Flushing called collectively the Hirsts.

They sat down opposite, across the gangway.
Mr.Flushing treated his wife with a mixture of admiration and indulgence, making up by the suavity and fluency of his speech for the abruptness of hers.

While she darted and ejaculated he gave Rachel a sketch of the history of South American art.

He would deal with one of his wife's exclamations, and then return as smoothly as ever to his theme.

He knew very well how to make a luncheon pass agreeably, without being dull or intimate.