and thought of it fast becoming chair-stamped, and I wondered if
negative matter would comprise that. However, I wisely refrained from
speech, and shook a sad smile from my closed lips.

"H" to "K" had a great deal to say. Every one looked wise and wore an
appearance of interest. They slid down to "L." Then Mrs. Dahlgren said,
"Has Mrs. _Lindencrone_ anything to say on the Metamorphosis of
Negative Matter?" I answered that I had not discovered anything since
the last time they asked me. They were not accustomed to one lady
having two names, each beginning with a capital letter.

The members had a beautiful time when they got to "R." Up rose a gaunt
female who knew all about it and seemed positive about the "Negative"
part. We were pulled suddenly up to time, and some one turned upon poor
me and asked if I agreed. I answered hastily, "Certainly I do." Dear
me! What had I said? Half the company rose with a bound. "Do you,
really?" they asked in chorus. "That is more than we do. We cannot at
all agree with a theory which is utterly false from the base." How I
wished I knew what the false base had been. Was it the Negative, or the
Metamorphosis, or the Matter? I murmured humbly, hiding behind a lame
neutrality, that I had mistaken the cause for the effect. They all
turned and looked at me with fierce eyes. I think they were staggered
at this colossal utterance, for they gave up discussing, and "S" to "Z"
never had a chance to say anything. Then they adjourned to the
supper-room. After having eaten scalloped oysters and chicken salad, no
more questions were discussed.

I was asked to sing. I am afraid that I am only looked upon as a bird
on these mighty occasions. On the piano-stool I felt myself safe, and I
sang. In the middle of my song some heavy person leaning against a