A very extraordinary lady compleats this malicious group. She does not appear to have any Christian name, but by the gang is termed the Glove Woman, as she constantly wears cotton-mittens. Sir Archy dryly insinuates that she keeps her arms thus covered because she has got the itch. She is about 48 years of age, is above the middle height, and has a sharp face. On her chin and upper lip there is a considerable quantity of fine downy hair, and she is somewhat pockfretten. Always dressed in a common fawn-coloured Norwich gown, with a plain cream-coloured camblet shawl, and wears a chip hat covered with black silk. The glove woman is remarkable for her skill in managing the machine. She frequently goes abroad. The rest of the gang, but particularly Sir Archy, are constantly bantering and plucking at her, like a number of rooks at a strange jack-daw: she has never been known to speak.

Gloves are essential for the machine, to separate one's porous skin from the actuality of what one manipulates. For example, gloves prevent exposure to infected blood, or to the bacteria that breed in decaying bodies, or to disturbing notions. They protect against waste (radioactive or otherwise); extreme weather conditions; mutant spiders; sexual and/or emotional sensations; media pundits, politicians, footballers and other demons; worms and parasites; children; broken rocks; and many other by-products of civilised society. Bare touch may indeed be fatal and almost certainly will be morally compromising.