SPIRIT OF THE YEARS (screwing up his eyes at the Solar System). _One of that very swarm it was, if I mistake not._ _It had a parasite that called itself_ _Napoléon. And lately, I believe,_ _Another parasite has had the impudence_ _To publish an elaborate account_ _Of our (for so we deemed it) private visit._ SPIRIT SINISTER. _His name?_ RECORDING ANGEL. _One moment._ (Turns over leaves.) _Hardy, Mr. Thomas,_ _Novelist. Author of "The Woodlanders,"_ _"Far from the Madding Crowd," "The Trumpet Major,"_ _"Tess of the D'Urbervilles," etcetera,_ _Etcetera. In 1895_ _"Jude the Obscure" was published, and a few_ _Hasty reviewers, having to supply_ _A column for the day of publication,_ _Filled out their space by saying that there were_ _Several passages that might have been_ _Omitted with advantage. Mr. Hardy_ _Saw that if that was so, well then, of course,_ _Obviously the only thing to do_ _Was to write no more novels, and forthwith_ _Applied himself to drama, and to Us._ SPIRIT IRONIC. _Let us hear what he said about Us._ THE OTHER SPIRITS. _Let's._ RECORDING ANGEL (raising receiver of aerial telephone). _3 oh 4 oh oh 3 5, Space.... Hulloa._ _Is that the Superstellar Library?_ _I'm the Recording Angel. Kindly send me_ _By Spirit-Messenger a copy of_ _"The Dynasts" by T. Hardy. Thank you._ A pause. Enter Spirit-Messenger, with copy of "The Dynasts." _Thanks._ Exit Spirit-Messenger. The Recording Angel reads "The Dynasts" aloud. Just as the reading draws to a close, enter the Spirit of Mr. Clement Shorter and Chorus of Subtershorters. They are visible as small grey transparencies swiftly interpenetrating the brains of the spatial Spirits. SPIRIT OF THE PITIES. _It is a book which, once you take it up,_ _You cannot readily lay down._ SPIRIT SINISTER. _There is_ _Not a dull page in it._ SPIRIT OF THE YEARS. _A bold conception_ _Outcarried with that artistry for which_ _The author's name is guarantee. We have_ _No hesitation in commending to our readers_ _A volume which--_ The Spirit of Mr. Clement Shorter and Chorus of Subtershorters are detected and expelled. _--we hasten to denounce_ _As giving an entirely false account_ _Of our impressions._ SPIRIT IRONIC. Hear, _hear_! SPIRIT SINISTER. Hear, _hear_! SPIRIT OF THE PITIES. _Hear_! SPIRIT OF THE YEARS.