TO THE LIGHTHOUSEspace, thinking what an old maid William wasbecoming. Conscious of his treachery, consciousof her wish to talk about something more intimate,yet out of mood for it at present, he felt comeover him the disagreeableness of life, sitting there,waiting. Perhaps the others were saying some-thing interesting? What were they saying?That the fishing season was bad; that the menwere emigrating. They were talking about wagesand unemployment. The young man was abusingthe government. William Bankes, thinking whata relief it was to catch on to something of thissort when private life was disagreeable, heard himsay something about "one of the most scandalousacts of the present government." Lily was listen-ing; Mrs. Ramsay was listening; they were alllistening. But already bored, Lily felt that some-thing was lacking; Mr. Bankes felt that some-thing was lacking. Pulling her shawl round her,Mrs. Ramsay felt that something was lacking.All of them bending themselves to listen thought,"Pray heaven that the inside of my mind may notbe exposed," for each thought, "The others arefeeling this. They are outraged and indignantwith the government about the fishermen.Whereas, I feel nothing at all.†But perhaps,thought Mr. Bankes, as he looked at Mr. Tansley,here is the man. One was always waiting for146