In this excerpt from "Clea" by Lawrence Durrell, the narrator describes a large crowd of moralists eagerly awaiting the arrival of the esteemed novelist Trollope, rather than the speaker or Brother Ass. The phrase "a million muffin-eating moralists" suggests a humorous and exaggerated depiction of the critics, emphasizing their number and perhaps their complacency or superficiality.

The tone implies a contrast between the moralists' superficial admiration and the dull, tedious reputation of Trollope. Durrell's words highlight a sense of irony, suggesting that while the moralists are eager to critique or praise Trollope, they may not be truly interested in deeper or more meaningful interactions, instead fixating on surface appearances or dull convention.