This excerpt from "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" reveals that the grandmother 'cares deeply about her appearance' since one would think that she was a 'lady.' In other words, 'a woman of superior social position.'
- Swollen - There is a recurrent spot where the pattern lolls like a broken neck and two <u>bulbous</u> eyes stare at you upside down.
"Bulbous" mean something fat, round, or bulging, similar to "Swollen" which is the state of being larger or rounder in size of what something normally is.
- Disappointing - "Better in body perhaps — " I began, and stopped short, for he sat up straight and looked at me with such a stern, <u>reproachful</u> look that I could not say another word.
Reproachful is an adjective and it's used when something/someone expresses disapproval or disappointment.
- Markedly noticeable - But in the places where it isn't faded and where the sun is just so—I can see a strange, provoking, formless sort of figure that seems to skulk; lie in wait about behind that silly and <u>conspicuous</u> front design.
Something conspicuous is something obvious to the eye or mind (it easily catches people's attention), something markedly noticeable.
- Bad quality - Looked at in one way each breadth stands alone, the bloated curves and flourishes—a kind of "<u>debased</u> Romanesque" with delirium tremens—go waddling up and down in isolated columns of fatuity.
Debased means degraded, reduced in quality or value.
I think the first or the second phrase works the best
CAST OF CHARACTERS
George, a retired office clerk
Georgiana, his wife
Little Georgie, a deck boy
(George and Georgiana's luxurious cabin. There's a piano and a couple of evening dresses and jackets. George is sitting in an armchair and smoking his pipe.)
GEORGIANA: ... So, as I've told you, Edward is never going to get married if he keeps employing such an attitude towards women.
GEORGE: Yes, darling. However, there's not much we can do about it. If those are God's ways, we are to accept them peacefully. Have you talked to Martin about it?
GEORGIANA: No, Martin always goes about his business.
(Some kind of uproar is heard.)
GEORGE: You see, one can hardly find a peace of mind even on a ship.
(Little Georgie breaks into the room.)
LITTLE GEORGIE: Sir, ma'am, the ship seems to be going down.
GEORGIANA: Down? What do you mean, little chap?
LITTLE GEORGIE: It is sinking. People are a little bit upset.
GEORGE: Well, how serious is it? Is it going to sink completely?
LITTLE GEORGIE: Well, haven't you heard the sirens?
GEORGIANA: Shall we evacuate?
LITTLE GEORGIE (picking his nose): There's only so much space in the lifeboats. You'd better hurry.
GEORGE: Darling, do you reckon I have time enough to pick at least two of my jackets? A man needs to bring his attire with him all the time.
GEORGIANA: By all means, George. We shouldn't let the situation get out of hand.
(They start rummaging around the room. Little Georgie observes the piano for 25 minutes. George cleans his pipe. All of them slowly and quietly leave the room.)
