I would as soon have put my hand between the rollers of a cane-press.
The feeding arrangements for the humanities on board were, if disagreeable, sufficiently amusing once in a way.

A table extends nearly the whole length of the gentlemen's saloon; on each side are ranged low wooden straight-back arm-chairs, of a breadth well suited for the ghost _qui n'avait pas de quoi_.

But the unfortunate man who happened to be very well supplied therewith, ran considerable risk of finding the chair a permanent appendage.

At the sound of the bell, all the seats being arranged opposite the respective places, the men rush forward and place themselves behind the said chairs, and, like true cavaliers, stand there till the ladies are seated.

I was standing waiting among the rest, and getting impatient as time flew on.