as we walked , zitha chatted on about how the weather had been particularly warm recently , but looked like it might soon be on the turn ; how she hoped that whoever won the general election wouldnt in any way spoil the fun of the party by excessive taxation ; how she wondered at the dietary tastes and dining habits of several guests as we passed a pile of empty snail shells , fish-bones and hay ; and how she hoped that i was enjoying her fathers party .