Dolph.  Well, keep your ’air on, my dear girl, and we’ll call FREDDY’s “Fair.” (Reading card.) “A gentleman with this colour of hair will be assiduous in his occupation—­”

Carrie (warmly).  What a shame!  I’m sure he isn’t. Are you, FREDDY? [FREDDY smiles vaguely.

Dolph.  “Not given to rambling,”—­Except in his ’ed,—­“very moderate in his amorous wishes, his mind much given to reflection, inclined to be ’asty-tempered, and, when aroused,”—­’Ere, somebody, rouse FREDDY, quick!—­“to use adjectives.”  Mustn’t use ’em ’ere, FREDDY!  “But if reasonably dealt with, is soon appeased.”  Pat his ’ed, CARRIE, will yer?  “Has plenty of bantering humour.” (Here FREDDY grins feebly.) Don’t he look it too!  “Should study his diet.”  That means his grub, and he works ’ard enough at that!  “He has a combination of good commercial talents, which, if directed according to the reflection of the sentiments, will make him tolerably well off in this world’s goods.”

Carrie (puzzled).  What’s it torking about now?

Dolph.  Oh, it on’y means he’s likely to do well in the cat’s-meat line.  Now for your fortune, FREDDY.  “It will be through marriage that your future will be brightened.”

Carrie (pleased).  Lor, FREDDY, think o’ that!

Dolph.  Think twice of it, FREDDY, my boy.  Now we’ll be off and get a drink.

Carrie.  Wait.  We haven’t got your character yet, Mr. GAGGS!

Dolph.  Oh, mine—­they couldn’t give that for a penny.  Too good, yer know!

Carrie.  If they haven’t got it, it’s more likely they’re afraid it would break the machine.  I’m going to put in for you under “Black.” (She does.) Here we are. (Reads.) “The gentleman will be much given to liquor.”  Found out first time, you see, Mr. GAGGS!

Dolph. (annoyed).  Come, no personalities now.  Drop all that!

Carrie.  “Somewhat quarrelsome and of an unsettled temper; more decorous and less attentive in his undertakings, and consequently meets with many disappointments.  Such gentlemen”—­now you listen to this, Mr. GAGGS!—­“will now know their weaknesses, which should induce them to take steps to improve themselves.” ("’Ear, ’ear!” from the rest of the party.) “Knowledge is power, and enables us to overcome many obstacles we otherwise should have fallen prey to.”  This is your fortune.  “Thou art warned to be careful what thou drinkest!” Well, they do seem to know you, I must say!

Dolph. (in a white rage).  I tell you what it is, Miss CARRIE BICKERTON, you appear to me to be turning a ’armless joke into a mejium for making nasty spiteful insinuations, and I, for one, am not going to put up with it, whatever others may!  So, not being partial to being turned into redicule and made to look a fool in company, I’ll leave you to spend the rest of the evening by yourselves, and wish you a very good-night!