_Pater._ Dinner! The usual thing, I suppose--underdone fish and overdone meat! _Mater._ Well, I see that you are determined to make the best of everything, my dear! _Pater._ I am glad you think so, my darling! [_And so they sit down to dinner._ II.--THE RIGHT WAY. _Pater._ Here at last! What a charming spot! A fitting sequel to a very pleasant journey! _Mater._ And yet you are very fond of town! _Pater._ This room reminds me of my own cozy study. Venerable chairs, a strange old table, and a quaintly-designed wall-paper. _Mater._ Well, I think if I had had to furnish the house, I should have chosen the same things myself. But had they been ever so ugly, I feel sure that you would have liked them. You know, sir, that content is your strong point. _Pater._ I am sure that I shall find no opportunity of getting any merit (after the fashion of _Mark Tapley_) for being contented in this pleasant spot. What a capital German band! _Mater._ I don't believe that you understand anything about music, sir. Why, you even pretend that you like my old songs! _Pater._ And so I do. Every day I live I like them better and better. And yet I heard them for the first time thirty years ago! _Mater._ When we were married! And so I have survived thirty years! _Pater._ Eh? What do you mean by that, madam? _Mater._ That I am a living proof that kindness never kills. How happy we have been! But come--dinner's ready. _Pater._ Dinner! The usual thing, I suppose--a nice piece of fish and a juicy joint. Now, that's just what I like. So much better than our pretentious London dinners! Not that a London dinner is not very good in its proper place. _Mater._ Well, I see that you are determined to make the best of everything, my dear. _Pater._ I am glad you think so, my darling! [_And so they sit down to dinner._ * * * * * [Illustration: A GOAT AND TWO KIDS] * * * * * [Illustration: AWFUL SCENE ON THE CHAIN PIER, BRIGHTON _Nursemaid._ "Lawk! There goes Charley, and he's took his mar's parasol. What _will_ missus say?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Temperance Enthusiast._ "Look at the beautiful lives our first parents led. Do you suppose _they_ ever gave way to strong drink?" _The Reprobate._ "I 'xpect Eve must 'a' done. She saw snakes!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A POWERFUL QUARTET (At all events it looks and sounds like one)] * * * * * [Illustration] SWEETS OF THE SEASIDE. _Shingleton, near Dulborough._ SYMPATHISING MR. PUNCH,