Hilary felt a sort of pity for him.
The omnibus leaped forward, and he sat down smartly almost on a lady's lap.

This was the lap of Mrs.Tallents Smallpeace, who greeted him with a warm, quiet smile, and made a little room.
"Your sister-in-law has just been to see me, Mr.Dallison.

She's such a dear-so interested in everything.

I tried to get her to come on to my meeting with me." Raising his hat, Hilary frowned.

For once his delicacy was at fault.