Of course, Hester replied, everybody goes back to savages, but it does no good to unearth that sort of thing. Why, I saw one of the creatures once and I was ashamed. Horrible, woolly-headed barbarian! He was positively indecent. She shuddered.
Obscene: Orville offered the room a synonym.
What's that? the old lady demanded. Nobody seems to care whether I hear or not, she whimpered.
African statues are obscene, mama, cried Hester.
Seen? Seen where? inquired the deaf woman, staring about her with great vigour.
Not respectable, screamed her daughter.
Who's not respectable?
African wood-carving.
I should think not! I should think not indeed, Mrs. Albright proclaimed, adding with great indignation, Certainly not. In Wash . . .
There was a welcome interruption. In answer to the bell, Hester admitted Conrad Gladbrook, a shy, young school-teacher, and his wife. Mary knew them only slightly. Mrs. Gladbrook was a very black, very short woman who had a nervous habit of throwing her head back and giggling, exposing two rows of fine white teeth, and who seemed incapable of emitting an intelligent syllable. Almost immediately after the arrival of the Gladbrooks, Mary was happy to hear Webb Leverett's voice at the door. He, at least, could sing.
Oh, Webb, I'm so glad you've come, Hester
