It sometimes happens, that you observe a pause in the conversation.

This pause continues.

Surprized at the universal silence now prevailing, you look round, and find all the Quakers in the room apparently thoughtful.
The history of the circumstance is this.

In the course of the conversation the mind of some one of the persons present has been so overcome with the weight or importance of it, or so overcome by inward suggestions or other subjects, as to have given himself up to meditation, or to passive obedience to the impressions upon his mind.
This person is soon discovered by the rest on account of his particular silence and gravity.

From this moment the Quakers in company cease to converse.