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It was just the moment before a big dinner when the assembled

guests, expecting the summons to zakuska, * avoid engaging in any

long conversation but think it necessary to move about and talk,

in order to show that they are not at all impatient for their

food. The host and hostess look toward the door, and now and then

glance at one another, and the visitors try to guess from these

glances who, or what, they are waiting for-some important

relation who has not yet arrived, or a dish that is not yet

ready.

* Hors d'oeuvres.