That's an invasion. Eugenie Devane said 'Thank you very much, but I am sorry. Sharon worked at the bank, was very tall, and smoked long cigarettes the colour of peat. She should be ashamed. Wife of William Devane or no wife of William Devane.
Civilized people make excuses.
It was here that I piped up in my reedy kid's voice. To my surprise, however, O'Keefe glanced to me and fell silent, deferring to the child of his hosts. My parents, meanwhile, looked worried that I would say something very silly. An adult cleared a throat. I'd been waiting some time for a pause.