"I'm not so sure," said George cruelly, "that you can afford to neglect any means. Some people laugh at them even now, in this twentieth century, in this beautiful England of ours." "And I can tell you why," broke in Raymond eagerly. He took from his pocket a well-known Manual of Psychology and whirled over the pages. "Meanwhile," said George learnedly, "BERGSON may be of some assistance to you. He knows all about laughter. He analysed it." "Why couldn't he leave it alone?" said Allegra uneasily. "He defines laughter," said George, "as 'a kind of social gesture.'" "It isn't," said Allegra rashly. "At least," she added, "that sort of thing isn't going to help Jerry. Do give it up." "Well, then, here's something more practical," said George. "Listen. 'A situation is always comical when it belongs at one and the same time to two series of absolutely independent events, and can at the same time be interpreted in two different ways.'" "I should think," said Edna brightly, "that might be very amusing." She remarked later that it made it all seem very clear, but even she showed signs of relief when Raymond interrupted, having found his place. "Here we are!" he exclaimed. "The book says that the reason a pun amuses you----" "It doesn't amuse me," said most of the company. "But it does--it must amuse you. It's all down here in black and white. Listen. The reason a pun amuses you is as follows: 'It impels the mind to identify objects quite disconnected. This obstructs the flow of thought; but this is too transient to give rise to pain, and the relief which comes with insight into the true state of the case may be a source of keen pleasure. Mental activity suddenly obstructed and so heightened is at once set free, and is so much greater than the occasion demands that----'" "And is that why we laugh at things?" said Allegra sadly. The heavy silence which followed was broken by the voice of Mrs. Purkis, the charlady, who "comes in to oblige," and was now taking a short cut to the front gate, under Cook's escort, by way of the parsley bed. This brought her within earshot of the party, who were taking tea on the lawn. When Mrs. Purkis could contain her mirth so as to make herself understood, her words were these: "I dunno why, but when I see 'im stand like that, staring like a stuck pig, I thought I'd died a-larf'n. I dunno why, but it made me _larf_----" She passed, like _Pippa_. "Listen to her," said Allegra in bitter envy. "_She doesn't know why._" And Allegra burst into tears. * * * * * [Illustration: _The Fisherman._ "I SUPPOSE THIS RAIN WILL DO A LOT OF GOOD, PAT?" _Pat._ "YE MAY WELL SAY THAT, SORR. AN HOUR OF UT NOW WILL DO MORE GOOD IN FIVE MINUTES THAN A MONTH OF UT WOULD DO IN A WEEK AT ANNY OTHER TIME."] * * * * * What's in a Name? "'A Recital' will be given by Miss H. E. Stutter (the well-known Elocutionist)." _Local Paper._