Chapter 2

           Sheseemedtohaveshrivelledslightly,hethought.Shelookedalittleskimpy,wispy;butnotunattractive.Helikedher.TherehadbeensometalkofhermarryingWilliamBankesonce,butnothinghadcomeofit.Hiswifehadbeenfondofher.Hehadbeenalittleoutoftempertooatbreakfast.Andthen,andthen—thiswasoneofthosemomentswhenanenormousneedurgedhim,withoutbeingconsciouswhatitwas,toapproachanywoman,toforcethem,hedidnotcarehow,hisneedwassogreat,togivehimwhathewanted:sympathy.

           Wasanybodylookingafterher?hesaid.Hadsheeverythingshewanted?

           "Oh,thanks,everything,"saidLilyBriscoenervously.No;shecouldnotdoit.Sheoughttohavefloatedoffinstantlyuponsomewaveofsympatheticexpansion:thepressureonherwastremendous.Butsheremainedstuck.Therewasanawfulpause.Theybothlookedatthesea.Why,thoughtMr.Ramsay,shouldshelookattheseawhenIamhere?ShehopeditwouldbecalmenoughforthemtolandattheLighthouse,shesaid.TheLighthouse!TheLighthouse!What’sthatgottodowithit?hethoughtimpatiently.Instantly,withtheforceofsomeprimevalgust(forreallyhecouldnotrestrainhimselfanylonger),thereissuedfromhimsuchagroanthatanyotherwomaninthewholeworldwouldhavedonesomething,saidsomething—allexceptmyself,thoughtLily,girdingatherselfbitterly,whoamnotawoman,butapeevish,ill-tempered,dried-upoldmaid,presumably.

           [Mr.Ramsaysighedtothefull.Hewaited.