The Thirteenth Part
Xanthochroi, svelte from their xerophagy, were uninterested in xenagogical activities. Xeniality was by no means widespread; nor, it should be added, was geniality. Rather, the denizens wandered to and fro, up stairs and down, content to busy themselves only with themselves, giving never a thought to anything else. Thus were they deeply enraptured with their own personhood and tended their egos with that care usually reserved for the rarest heliotropes. Muriel naturally stood in awe and attempted—unsuccessfully—to emulate the natives’ unconcern; Rosemund—who passed her time in cafés, sipping coffee and munching pastries—achieved it.