She sat me down by her side, and I felt comparatively safe.

But Fred and Miss Smith were just opposite and they disconcerted me.
"Mr.Flutter," said the hostess when it came my turn, "will you have tea or coffee ?" "Yes'm," said I.
"Tea or coffee ?" "If you please," said I.
"_Which_ ?" whispered Belle.
"Oh, excuse me; coffee, ma'am." "Cream and sugar, Mr.Flutter ?" "I'm not particular which, Mrs.Jones." "Do you take _both_ ?" she persisted, with everybody at the table looking my way.
"No, ma'am, only coffee," said I, my face the color of the beet-pickles.
She finally passed me a cup, and, in my embarrassment, I immediately took a swallow and burnt my mouth.
"Have you lost any friends lately ?" asked that wretched Fred, seeing the tears in my eyes.
I enjoyed that tea-party as geese enjoy _pate de fois gras_.

It was a prolonged torment under the guise of pleasure.

I refused everything I wanted, and took everything I didn't want.

I got a back of the cold chicken; there was nothing of it but bone.