"The Benighted Hearth"

"Are you enjoying your Chicken à la King, Mr. Peachman?" said Mrs. Lovechild.Harry's mouth was full, and so he chewed as quickly as he could."I should think he is," said Ralston."I love to see a man eat with gusto," said Gwendolyn.Harry swallowed, trying not to choke, and then he dabbed his lips with the damask napkin he had been supplied with."Yes, Mrs. Lovechild, very much so," he finally managed to say."Would you care for seconds?" said Mrs. Lovechild."I think you mean thirds, Mother," said Ralston."Ralston, don't be such a cunt," said Gwendolyn."Gwendolyn, dear," said Mrs. Lovechild. "Language.""Here, Mr. Peachum," said Gwendolyn, rising up from her seat, "let me help you with that last bit of chicken and noodles.""Waste not want not," said Ralston, putting a cigarette into his black holder."Oh, thank you," said Harry, "but, really, I couldn't –""Of course you could," said Gwendolyn, "now here," and she lifted the serving dish with one hand and with the other she spooned the last…