_Her Friend._ Oh, I don't see any harm in conjuring, myself. _The S. L._ I can't forget that Pharaoh had his Sorcerers and Magicians, and how _they_ acted! _Her Friend._ Ah, I never saw _them_. _The London Aunt_ (_to her_ Niece). Enjoying it, SOPHY? Such a _treat_ for you, to see really good conjuring! _Sophy._ Yes, Aunt, thank you. But our new Curate did that trick with _two_ rabbits at the last Penny Readings we had! [_A calico screen is brought forward on which the Entertainer throws various shadows with his hands._ _The S. L._ Is that a little house at the corner? Oh, he doesn't do _that_ with his hands--then I see no merit in it. Who's that? (_A small male shadow, cast by the performer's right hand, crosses the screen, and knocks timidly at the door, which is opened by the left hand, in the character of a little Lady. The couple embrace effusively, and retire inside._) Ah, that's the husband coming home! [_Another male shadow enters and knocks furiously, while the little Lady reconnoitres cautiously from the window above._ _Her Friend._ I expect _that_ must be the husband. _The S. L._ What?--and the wife behaving like that in his absence! If I thought _that_ was the---- (_The first male shadow comes out, and fights the second, who retreats, worsted._) I never saw anything so scandalous. How you can call yourself consistent, and sit there and _laugh_ at such things----! _Her Friend_ (_apologetically_). I can't help laughing--and, after all, perhaps they're only rival lovers, or he's her _father_, or something. _The S. L._ And she inviting one to come into the house in that bold way--a nice example for young persons! Look there, he's come back with a flageolet, and she's actually poured a jug of water on his head out of the window! "Only a pair of hands," did you say? So it _may_ be--but we all know _who_ it is that "Finds some mischief still For idle hands to do"--and there we have an illustration of it, my dear. [_She shakes herself down in her sealskins with virtuous disapproval._ _The Unsophisticated Father_ (_who has been roaring with laughter_). Capital! It is amazingly clever, 'pon my word! Can't imagine how they do these things--can _you_, VIVVIE? [_To Up-to-Date Child._ _Miss Vivien._ Oh, well I've seen so much conjuring at parties, you know, Father, that I don't notice it particularly,--but it's nice to see _you_ so amused! _The U. F._ I'm _young_, you see, VIVVIE; but I hope you're not bored? MISS V. No, I'm not _bored_--only I thought there'd be some Serpentine dancing, and more of the _Music Hall_ about it. _The U. F._ Music Hall! Why, what do _you_ know about Music Halls, eh? _Miss V._ (_with calm superiority_). Several of their songs--if you call _that_ anything. _The U. F._ I should be inclined to call it a good deal too much! _Miss V._ (_compassionately_). Would you? Poor dear Father! But you never _were_ very modern, were you?