They make their admiration known to the speaker in a way that is quite likely to turn his head.
In Plato's day the bee Hymettus mingled with the discourse as it came forth.

To-day the bee lights in his ear and fills his fancy with delightful dreams of a hive by the Potomac, thatched with flowers and redolent with the incense of flattery.
I do not doubt that if Salmon P.Chase had been elected President of the United States he would have administered that lofty office honorably and to the advantage of the country.

But I think that his ambition clouded his judgment, and inclined him, perhaps unconsciously, to take an attitude as a Judge on some of the political questions on which parties were divided after President Grant came in, which would be acceptable to the Democrats, and would make it possible for him to accept their nomination.

But all this is merest speculation.

If he had maintained his mental and physical vigor it is quite likely that he would have been nominated when Greeley was nominated.