Fiona Hackworth had been wandering through the Royal Ecological 
Conservatory bracketed by her parents, who hoped that in this way they could 
keep mud and vegetable debris off her skirts. The strategy had not been 
completely successful, but with a quick brush, John and Gwendolyn were able to 
transfer most of the dirt onto their white gloves. From there it went straight 
into the air. Most gentlemen's and ladies' gloves nowadays were constructed of 
infinitesimal fabricules that knew how to eject dirt; you could thrust your 
gloved hand into mud, and it would be white a few seconds later.