The announcement of this caused a solemn hush to fall upon the sycophants; a hush broken by the cool, masterful tones of their host.
"I'll take her," he said, and paid the fearful price from a still weighty pocket.

To the stoutest of the group went the honour of bearing off the lordly burden.

They turned into a cool alley that led to the rear of the shops.

Here in comparative solitude the whale of a melon could be consumed and the function be unmarred by the presence of volunteer guests.
"Open her," ordered the host, and the new knife was used to open her.
She proved to be but half ripe, but her size was held to atone for this defect.

A small, unripe melon would have been returned to the dealer with loud complaining, but it seemed to be held that you couldn't expect everything from one of this magnitude.