Only, as a small, trivial, rather ridiculous object of the commonest domestic use, it's just wanting in-what shall I say?
Well, dignity, or the least approach to distinction.

Right here therefore, with everything about us so grand--!" In short he shrank.
"It's a false note ?" "Sadly.

It's vulgar." "But surely not vulgarer than this." Then on his wondering as she herself had done: "Than everything about us." She seemed a trifle irritated.

"What do you take this for ?" "Why for--comparatively--divine!" "This dreadful London theatre?
It's impossible, if you really want to know." "Oh then," laughed Strether, "I DON'T really want to know!" It made between them a pause, which she, however, still fascinated by the mystery of the production at Woollett, presently broke.

"'Rather ridiculous'?
Clothes-pins?
Saleratus?
Shoe-polish ?" It brought him round.