A real swell, to judge by his looks! Perhaps he would pay for the supper! Most likely.

It looked like it.

Bah! Provided only the supper was a good one! In the end the company remained undecided.
Nay, they were already beginning to forget the old white-bearded gentleman when the manager opened the door of the large drawing room.
"Supper is on the table, madame." Nana had already accepted Steiner's proffered arm without noticing a movement on the part of the old gentleman, who started to walk behind her in solitary state.

Thus the march past could not be organized, and men and women entered anyhow, joking with homely good humor over this absence of ceremony.

A long table stretched from one end to the other of the great room, which had been entirely cleared of furniture, and this same table was not long enough, for the plates thereon were touching one another.