But she was well defended from any assault of the kind.

Her countenance became, of a sudden, absurdly hideous; the pretty mouth was elongated and otherwise amplified sufficiently to have allowed of six simultaneous kisses.

I started back in bewildered dismay; she burst into the merriest fit of laughter, and ran from the room.

I soon found that the same undefinable law of change operated between me and all the other villagers; and that, to feel I was in pleasant company, it was absolutely necessary for me to discover and observe the right focal distance between myself and each one with whom I had to do.

This done, all went pleasantly enough.