He found Ellis drinking whisky all alone in one of the little rooms, as was his custom; fifteen minutes later the Dummy and Flossie joined them.

Flossie had grown stouter since Vandover had first known her, nearly ten years ago.

She had a double chin, and puffy, discoloured pockets had come under her eyes.

Now her hair was dyed, her cheeks and lips rouged, and her former air of health and good spirits gone.

She never laughed.