... women, whom I did." It is immediately made known through a tone of cynicism that the narrator does not want to continue on her path, wherever she is going. She knows exactly what to expect, and does not speak of it lightly. She mentions the smell of "fruitcake and pink gladioli", the food a symbol of moral malaise-and as she ascends the steps, she makes note to herself how passé the event she is about to attend will be. The passage continues like this, with artificially warm salutations exchanged. Abigail shuts the door behind herself, a motion of subtle purpose, foreshadowing possible ulterior motives. The conversation becomes dominated by Mrs. Halloway-it soon becomes apparent to the reader that the chatting is superficial, and that there is a more pertinent but uncomfortable topic hidden beneath the artifice. Abigail, from her own personal inflections and the statements made by others, is assumed ...

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