I have no idea what this 1984-ish-sounding organization actually does, though I suspect it has something to do with industrial processes.

“I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle, brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers,[…], the jewelled animals whose moral code is the code of the barnyard—!"

This writer was the victim of the most crushing mauvaise honte, and could therefore describe it from experience.

And mark you, good keepers are some years bad keepers, as this year; and a hard, heavy, unbruisable Apple that really will keep to late on in the season is doubly valuable.