Here the Cloverites stamp and shout, but the speaker braves out the storm. As a peroration, this is what he offers to his hosts:
"Gentlemen, I had prepared a speech, something refined, which you could scarcely be supposed to appreciate. I will not cast my pearls to——('All right, all right.') I will sit down. Perhaps next year I may find you a little more civilised."
"Next year! No danger of your being asked, my fine fellow!"
The President rises once more.
My turn has come.
Scarcely have I said the word "Gentlemen," when a volley of shouts and whistlings greets me.
I see that I am not going to be spared.
"Excuse me," I continued; "perhaps I had better explain to you why I accepted your invitation. Since I am in America, I mean to study the customs and manners of the people. With this object in view, it would not do for me to confine myself to good society, and I have determined to make a beginning this evening——"
"That's right," whispers my neighbour; "continue in that strain, and you will do."
For hours the speechifying goes on, mixed with music, recitations, songs, and anecdotes.