Now, will you promise to give up all your bad habits and behave like a lady." "I'll promise nothing," snapped Mabel.
"Then we shall be obliged to tar and feather you." Mabel laughed, imagining it was an empty threat, but she was rapidly undeceived.

Two inquisitors, seizing her by the arms, held her tightly in her chair, while several others smeared soap over her face and stuck on feathers which they took out of a cushion.

She would have screamed, but every time she opened her mouth to do so she received a dab of soap upon her tongue.

When they considered her countenance was sufficiently ornamented, they presented her with a looking-glass to view the effect.
"That's how we feel about it," the spokeswoman assured her.

"This is just to show you we won't stand your horrid ways.