text:  Your _soup_ you _might_ take in peace for he was at this time studying the composition of the party and the chances of endurance or resistance inscribed on the countenance of the guests; but the moment an opportunity occurred of correcting or cavilling with any of those unprecise and generally unchallenged observations the interruption of which is at the cost of the quietness of the repast Mr Snapley's voice was heard! You were too glad of course to give up the trifling point out of which he had raised a discussion; but the earliest concession never saved you nor did you ever afterwards escape the consciousness that he was still hovering like a harpy over the tablecloth and ready to fall foul of you again