Meta has many friends who seem influential ...

but _so_ talkative, my dear." She led the way downstairs.

Mr.Tovey and the Mayor were talking at the foot of the stairs, Mr.Frere was listening sardonically.

As Sarah Brown went past them into the Shop, she smelt the unflower-like scent that always denoted the presence of Miss Ford.

Sarah Brown herself was accompanied by nothing more seductive than a faint smell of gasoline, showing that her clothes had lately been home-cleaned.