motherly lady with the somewhat blowsy hair was Mrs. Jones, or Mrs.
Green, or Mrs. Walker, I cannot now say. The dumpy female with the
broad back was always called Aunt Sally by the young ladies.

Too much sugar spoils one's tea; I think I have heard that even
prosperity will cloy when it comes in overdoses; and a schoolboy has
been known to be overdone with jam. I myself have always been
peculiarly attached to ladies' society, and have avoided bachelor
parties as things execrable in their very nature. But on this
special occasion I felt myself to be that schoolboy;--I was
literally overdone with jam. My tea was all sugar, so that I could
not drink it. I was one among twelve. What could I do or say? The
proportion of alloy was too small to have any effect in changing the
nature of the virgin silver, and the conversation became absolutely
feminine.

I must confess also that my previous experience as to these
compatriots of mine had not prejudiced me in their favour. I
regarded them with,--I am ashamed to say so, seeing that they were
ladies,--but almost with loathing. When last I had seen them their
occupation had reminded me of some obscene feast of harpies, or
almost of ghouls. They had brought down to the verge of desperation
the man whom of all men I most venerated. On these accounts I was
inclined to be taciturn with reference to them;--and then what could
I have to say to the Misses Macmanus's five pupils?

My cousin at first made an effort or two in my favour, but these
efforts were fruitless. I soon died away into utter unrecognised
insignificance, and the conversation, as I have before said, became
feminine. And indeed that horrid Miss Grogram, who was, as it were,