Indeed, when she had won her point she felt a slight degree of contempt for the people who had yielded to her.
The committee now rose, gathered together their papers, shook them straight, placed them in their attache-cases, snapped the locks firmly together, and hurried away, having, for the most part, to catch trains, in order to keep other appointments with other committees, for they were all busy people.

Mary, Mrs.Seal, and Mr.Clacton were left alone; the room was hot and untidy, the pieces of pink blotting-paper were lying at different angles upon the table, and the tumbler was half full of water, which some one had poured out and forgotten to drink.
Mrs.Seal began preparing the tea, while Mr.Clacton retired to his room to file the fresh accumulation of documents.

Mary was too much excited even to help Mrs.Seal with the cups and saucers.

She flung up the window and stood by it, looking out.

The street lamps were already lit; and through the mist in the square one could see little figures hurrying across the road and along the pavement, on the farther side.