A Society (Unabridged)

THIS IS HOW it all came about. Six or seven of us were sitting one day after tea. Some were gazing across the street into the windows of a milliner's shop where the light still shone brightly upon scarlet feathers and golden slippers. Others were idly occupied in building little towers of sugar upon the edge of the tea tray. After a time, so far as I can remember, we drew round the fire and began as usual to praise men­how strong, how noble, how brilliant, how courageous, how beautiful they were­how we envied those who by hook or by crook managed to get attached to one for life­when Poll, who had said nothing, burst into tears. Poll, I must tell you, has always been …