“We are all very much interested in the Man from Somewhere,” Veneering observes.

Then the four Buffers, taking heart of grace all four at once, say:

“Deeply interested!”

“Quite excited!”

“Dramatic!”

“Man from Nowhere, perhaps!”

And then Mrs. Veneering⁠—for the Lady Tippins’s winning wiles are contagious⁠—folds her hands in the manner of a supplicating child, turns to her left neighbour, and says, “Tease! Pay! Man from Tumwhere!” At which the four Buffers, again mysteriously moved all four at once, explain, “You can’t resist!”