Explore "In Old Madras" by B.M. Croker on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The ladies -- sixteen in number -- streamed forlornly into the drawing-room, where they broke up into groups -- like gravitating to like. The General's wife and Mrs. Tallboys embarked on congenial topics, local charities, and an imminent bazaar; the wearer of the jaunty green feather was captured by Mrs. Fiske, eager to hear the latest news of Barbie's prospects. Barbie and Miss Sim, drawn to one another by mutual sympathy, left the room together, to seek a secluded corner of the verandah, and popular Nancy Brander on her way to a beckoning friend was waylaid by her recent neighbour.
"Do stop and talk to _me_ for a moment!" urged Mrs. Villars, leading her aside. "I want to ask your opinion of my new frock?"