THAT'S the tragedy of life--as I always say!" said Mrs.
Dalloway. "Beginning things and having to end them.
Still, I'm not going to let this end, if you're willing." It was
the morning, the sea was calm, and the ship once again was
anchored not far from another shore.

She was dressed in her long fur cloak, with the veils wound
round her head, and once more the rich boxes stood on top
of each other so that the scene of a few days back seemed to
be repeated.

"D'you suppose we shall ever meet in London?" said Ridley
ironically. "You'll have forgotten all about me by the time you
step out there."

He pointed to the shore of the little bay, where they could
now see the separate trees with moving branches.

"How horrid you are!" she laughed. " Rachel's coming to
see me anyhow--the instant you get back," she said, pressing
Rachel's arm. "Now--you've no excuse!"

With a silver pencil she wrote her name and address on the
flyleaf of Persuasion, and gave the book to Rachel. Sailors
were shouldering the luggage, and people were beginning to
congregate. There were Captain Cobbold, Mr. Grice, Wil-
loughby, Helen, and an obscure grateful man in a blue jersey.

"Oh, it's time," said Clarissa. "Well, good-bye. I do like
you," she murmured as she kissed Rachel. People in the way
made it unnecessary for Richard to shake Rachel by the hand;
he managed to look at her very stiffly for a second before he
followed his wife down the ship's side.

The boat separating from the vessel made off towards the
land, and for some minutes Helen, Ridley, and Rachel leant
over the rail, watching. Once Mrs. Dalloway turned and
waved; but the boat steadily grew smaller and smaller until it
ceased to rise and fall, and nothing could be seen save two
resolute backs.

-78-