W.E. Sangster once told about being invited to a party held to celebrate a wedding. He arrived late and knew nobody there except the friend who invited him. He subsequently played the role of a mere spectator to the evening’s festivities.

Everyone, he noted, seemed to be in high spirits. They danced and shouted and sang and laughed and played games and indulged in all sorts of entertainment. They flung streamers across the hall, pranced around in paper caps, had much to eat and drink and generally seemed to have a great time.

As the evening progressed, however, Sangster noticed a young lady sitting in a corner alone. She seemed very happy, and smiled very pleasantly when he caught her eye, but she seemed a bit neglected. No one seemed to be paying her any attention. Sangster whispered to…