for allthe expression she had, might

As Helen returned to the garden again, Ridley's words of warningcame into her head, and she hesitated a moment and looked at Rachelsitting between Hirst and Hewet. But she could draw no conclusions,for Hewet was still reading Gibbon aloud, and Rachel, for allthe expression she had, might have been a shell, and his wordswater rubbing against her ears, as water rubs a shell on the edgeof a rock. 　　Hewet's voice was very pleasant. When he reached the endof the period Hewet stopped, and no one volunteered any criticism. 　　"I do adore the aristocracy!" Hirst exclaimed after a moment's pause. 　　"They're so amazingly unscrupulous. None of us would dare to behaveas that woman behaves.""What I like about them," said Helen as she sat down, "is that they'reso well put together. Naked, Mrs. Flushing would be superb. 　　Dressed as she dresses, it's absurd, of course.""Yes," said Hirst. A shade of depression crossed his face. 　　"I've never weighed more than ten stone in my life," he said,"which is ridiculous, considering my height, and I've actuallygone down in weight since we came here. I daresay that accountsfor the rheumatism." Again he jerked his wrist back sharply,so that Helen might hear the grinding of the chalk stones. 　　She could not help smiling. 　　"It's no laughing matter for me, I assure you," he protested. 　　"My mother's a chronic invalid, and I'm always expecting to betold that I've got heart disease myself. Rheumatism always goesto the heart in the end.""For goodness' sake, Hirst," Hewet protested; "one might thinkyou were an old cripple of eighty. If it comes to that, I hadan aunt who died of cancer myself, but I put a bold face on it--"He rose and began tilting his chair backwards and forwardson its hind legs. "Is any one here inclined for a walk?"he said. "There's a magnificent walk, up behind the house.