why did the narrator take special interest in the woolen tablecloth and cutlery used by Mrs dorling's daughter

Dear student,

Here is the answer:

The woollen tablecloth and cutlery used by Mrs. Dorling's daughter belonged to narrator's mother. The cutlery used by Mrs. Dorling's daughter had once belonged to the narrator's family. It was silverware and evoked memories of her mother and the good times they had before the war. But, the cutlery, like everything else, was kept and used distastefully. 

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