Soldier.  Anyone would think you meant to go by the answer, to hear you talk!

Susan Jane.  P’raps I do. (Coquettishly, as she sets the index to a printed question.) Now, you mustn’t look.  I won’t ’ave you see what I ask!

Soldier (loftily). I don’t want to look, I tell yer—­it’s nothing to me.

Susan Jane.  But you are looking—­I saw you. [A curious and deeply interested crowd collects around them.

Soldier.  Honour bright, I ain’t seen nothing.  Are you going to be all night over this ’ere tomfoolery?

[SUSAN JANE puts in a penny, blushing and tittering; a faint musical tinkle is heard from the case, and the little fairies begin to revolve in a solemn and mystic fashion; growing excitement of crowd.  A pasteboard bower falls aside, revealing a small disc on which a sentence is inscribed.

Person in Crowd (reading slowly over SUSAN JANE’s shoulder).  “Yus; ’e is treuly worthy of your love.”

Crowd (delighted).  That’s worth a penny to know, ain’t it, Miss? Your mind’s easy now!  It’s the soldier she was meanin’.  Ah,_’e_ ought to feel satisfied too, after that! &c., &c. [Confusion of SUSAN JANE.

Soldier (as he departs with S.J.).  Well, yer know, there’s something in these things, when all’s said!

IN DEPARTING.

A Pleased Pleasure-seeker.  Ah, that’s something like, that is!  I’ve seen the ’Aunted Miser, and the Man with the ’Orrors, and a Execution, and a Dyin’ Child—­they do make you larf, yer know!

Second P.P. Yes, it’s a pity the rest o’the Exhibition ain’t more the same style, to my thinking!

A Captious Critic.  Well, they don’t seem to me to ’ave much to do with anything naval.

His Companion.  Why, it comes under machinery, don’t it?  You’re so bloomin’ particular, you are!  Wouldn’t touch a glass o’ beer ’ere, unless it was brewed with salt-water, I suppose!  Well, come on, then—­there’s a bar ’andy!

    [They adjourn for refreshment.

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PROVERBS PRO OMNIBUS.—­Directly the Chairman of the General Omnibus Company observed that if the men’s demands were conceded the fares would have to be raised, there was a rush to be the first out with the old proverb about Penny wise and Pound foolish.  However, “In for a penny” remains as heretofore, the employes having successfully gone “in for a Pound.”  Let them now “take care of the pence,” and they may feel well assured that this particular POUND will be able to take care of himself.  Well, farewell the tranquillity of the streets of last week!  Henceforth not “chaos,” but “’Bus ’os,” has come again!

* * * * *

NOLENS VOLENS.