The mere presence of this monocle on Bloch’s face exempted people, first of all, from wondering whether or not he was good-looking, just like looking over some English things in a shop which the assistant has said “are the latest thing,” after which one does not dare wonder whether one actually likes it. Also he was able to take up a position behind the glass of the monocle where he was as aloof, distant and comfortable as if it had been the glass window of an elegant, well-sprung carriage, and his other features, in keeping with the flattened hair and the monocle, never expressed anything now
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