"It is rather pungent," I owned.
"I don't know about pungent," continued Pybus, who certainly seemed to be suffering; "but with ice pudding it's a failure."
"Never," declared Mrs. Chalmers, who was leaning back in her chair, and had her handkerchief in her hand, "never did I taste anything like it! Never! and after dinner, too!"
Margaret's feelings seemed for the moment to be too strong for speech. I perceived the thing had been a failure. Still, I endeavoured to pass it off, which was difficult, for I myself felt really ill.
"Ah! it is to the after effects we must look forward."
"It is the after effects I'm thinking of," said Pybus.
That was almost more than I could bear; it was the after effects I was thinking of as well.
"Come, let's adjourn and have a little music."
"Have we finished the bottle of jalap?" inquired Pybus.
"I really must apologise; I confess I had no idea what a peculiar taste it had; it certainly is peculiar." Mrs. Chalmers put her handkerchief up to her eyes.