Miss R. Are you amusing when you are with other people?

Mr. B. At all events I can find things to say to them.

    Enter Another Man.

Another Man (to Miss B.).  Our dance, I think?

Miss R. (who had intended to get out of it).  I was wondering if you ever meant to come for it. (To Mr. B., as they rise.) Now I shan’t feel I am depriving the other people! (Perceives the speechless agony in his expression, and relents.) Well, you can have the next after this if you care about it—­only do try to think of something in the meantime! (As she goes off.) You will—­won’t you?

Mr. B. (to himself).  She’s given me another chance!  If only I can rise to it.  Let me see—­what shall I begin with? I know—­Supper! She hasn’t been down yet.

His Hostess.  Oh, Mr. BOLDOVER, you’re not dancing this—­do be good and take someone down to supper—­those poor Chaperons are dying for some food.

[Mr. B. takes down a Matron whose repast is protracted through three waltzes and a set of Lancers—­he comes up to find Miss ROUNDARM gone, and the Musicians putting up their instruments.

Coachman at door (to Linkman, as Mr. B. goes down the steps).  That’s the lot, JIM!

    [Mr. B. walks home, wishing the Park Gates were not shut, to
    as to render the Serpentine inaccessible_

* * * * *

[Illustration:  SHADOWING AT HENLEY REGATTA.

TOBY, M.P., TAKES AN INSTANTANEOUS PHOTOGRAPH WITH HIS DETECTIVE CAMERA IN THE BOW OF MR. PUNCH’S BOAT, WITH THE ABOVE EXTRAORDINARY RESULT.]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

House of Commons, Monday, July 7.—­Cabinet Council on Saturday; House begins to think it’s time Ministers made up their minds what they’re going to do with business of Session.  But OLD MORALITY returns customary answer.  Ministry still carefully considering question.  Meantime he has nothing to say.

“Except in respect of sex and age, O.M. reminds me.” said ALBEBT ROLLIT, “of scene in play recently put on stage by BEERBOHM TREE—­A Man’s Shadow it was called.  Daresay you remember, TOBY; there’s a murder witnessed through window by wife and little daughter.  They think it’s their man that did the deed; but ’twas the other fellow—­the Shadow, don’t you know.  There is police inquiry; mother and daughter cross-examined; believe the murderer is the husband and father; saw him do it with their own eyes; but of course not going to peach; little girl pressed to tell all she knows; makes answer in voice that thrills Gallery, and makes mothers in the Pit weep, ’I have seen nothing, I have heard nothing.’  Never see OLD MORALITY come to the table, as he is