M. had invited one person too many for the plates, and so Mr. M. had to do without one. At first this was not noticed, as each person was seeing who could get the most to eat, with the exception of those who were love-making, but after a while, Sir Lizard, (a great swell and a very high liver) turned round and remarked, “Ee-aw, I say, Mr. M., why don’t you take something more to eat?” “Mr. M. is not at all hungry tonight, are you my dear?” put in Mrs. M. smiling at Sir Lizard, and frowning at Mr. M. “Not at all, not at all,” replied the latter hastily. Sir Lizard seemed disposed to continue the subject, but Mr. Moth, (a very scientific gentleman) made a diversion by saying, “Have you seen my work on ‘Various Antenae’? In it I demonstrated clearly the superiority of feathered to knobbed Antenae and”--“Excuse me, Sir,” interrupted Sir Butterfly, “but you surely don’t mean to say--” “Excuse _me_, if you please,” replied Mr. Moth sharply, “but I _do_ mean it, and if you read my work, you will perceive that the rays of feather-like particles on the trunk of the Antenae deriving from the center in straight or curved lines generally”--at this moment Mr. Moth luckily choked himself and seizing the lucky instant, Mrs. M. rang for the desert. There was a sort of struggling noise in the pantry, but that was the only answer. A second ring, no answer. A third ring; and Mrs. M. rose in majestic wrath, and in dashed the unlucky Tommy Cricket with the cheese, but alas, while half way in the room, the beautiful new red trousers came down, and Tommy and cheese rolled straight into Miss Dragon Fly who fainted without any unnecessary delay, while the noise of Tommy’s howls made the room ring. There was great confusion immediately, and while Tommy was being kicked out of the room, and while Lord Beetle was emptying a bottle of rare rosap over Miss Dragon Fly, in mistake for water, Mrs. M. gave a glance at Mr. M., which made him quake in his shoes, and said in a low voice, “Provoking thing! _now_ you see the good of no suspenders”--“But my dear, you told me not to”--began Mr. M., but was interrupted by Mrs. M. “Don’t speak to me, you--” but here Miss Katydid’s little sister struck in on a sharp squeak. “Katy kissed Mr. Woodmouse!” “Katy didn’t,” returned her brother. “Katy did,” “Katy didn’t,” “Katy did,” “Katy didn’t.” All eyes were now turned on the crimsoning Miss Katydid, but she was unexpectedly saved by the lamps suddenly commencing to burn blue! “There, Mr. M.! Now you see what you have done!” said the lady of the house, sternly. “My dear, I told you they could not get enough oil if you had the party so early. It was your own fault,” said Mr. M. worked up to desperation.