[General] Please help me to clarify this sentence

[kiwiNguyen]

Hi Everyone,

I am translating a book called 'The One Memory Of Flora Banks'. In this book, I have problem understanding a sentence (in red), please kindly help me to clarify it.

Mum is cradling her tea in both hands and not speaking. She has not so much as suggested a biscuit.

Thanks in advance!

 

[kadioguy]

I am translating a book called 'The One Memory Of Flora Banks'. In this book, I have problem understanding a sentence (in red), please kindly help me to clarify it.

Mum is cradling her tea in both hands and not speaking. She has not so much as suggested a biscuit.

Not so much as

used for emphasizing that something did not happen or exist, especially when this is surprising

Not so much as a whisper could be heard.
She left the room without so much as a backward glance.

https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/not-so-much-as

from ENGLISH-CHINESE DICTIONARY (英漢大辭典)

Thank you very much for your clarification. Have a good day!

You are polite, but I think the moderator will delete this for being unnecessary. ;-)

 

[Rover_KE]

In this book, I have a problem understanding a sentence (in red). Please [STRIKE]kindly[/STRIKE] help me to clarify it.

There's no need for 'kindly' after 'please'.