_The Reader will kindly imagine himself on a seat at the end of the Pier, where the Sand is playing, and scraps of conversation from his neighbours and passing promenaders, reach his ear involuntarily._ _Fair Promenader_ (_roused to enthusiasm by the surroundings_). Oh, don't it look lovely at night? (_Impulsively._) I can't _'elp_ sayin' so. _Her Companion_ (_whose emotions are less easily stirred_). Why? _The Fair P._ (_apologetically_). Oh, I don't know exactly--these sort o' scenes always _do_ take my fancy. _Her Comp._ (_making a concession to her weakness_). Well, I must say it's picturesque enough--what with the gas outside the 'All by the Sea, and the lamps on the whilk stalls. [Illustration: "Some people will tell yer, now, that Margit's _vulgar_."] _First Girl_ (_on seat--to Second_). Here comes that young SPIFFING. I do hope he won't come bothering _us_! (_Mr. S. gratifies her desire by promenading past in bland unconsciousness_.) Well, I do call that _cool_! He must have seen us. Too grand to be seen talking to us _here_, I suppose! _Second Girl_. I'm sure I wouldn't be seen talking to _him_, that's all! Why, he's on'y-- [_They pick him to pieces relentlessly._ _First Girl_. Take care--he's coming round again. Now we shall see. Mind you don't begin laughing, or else you'll set _me_ off! [_As a natural consequence, Mr. S.'s approach excites them both to paroxysms of maidenly mirth._ _Mr. S._ (_halting in front of them_). You two seem 'ighly amused at something. What's the joke? _Second Girl_ (_as the first is compelled to bury her face behind her friend's back_). Don't you be too curious. I'll tell you this much--at _your_ expense! _Mr. S._ Oh, is it? Then you might let Me 'ave a a'porth! _First Girl_. BELLA, if you tell him, I'll never speak to you again. [_As there is nothing particular to tell, Miss BELLA preserves the secret._ _Mr. S._ (_reconnoitring his rear suspiciously_). There's nothing pinned on to my coat-tails, is there? (_Renewed mirth from the couple_.) Well, I see you're occupied--so, good evenin'. [_Walks on, with offended dignity._ _Second Girl_. There! I _knew_ how it would be--he's gone off in a huff now! _First Girl_. Let him! He ought to know better than take offence at nothing. And such a ridic'lous little object as he's looking, too! What else can he _expect_, I'd like to know!... Don't you feel it chilly, sitting still? _Second Girl_ (_rising with alacrity_). I was just thinking. Suppose we take a turn--the _other_ way round, or he might think-- _First Girl_. We'll show him others have their pride as well as him. [_They disappear in the crowd._ _Mr. Spiffing_ (_repassing a few minutes later, with one of the young Ladies on each arm_). Well, there, say no more about it--so long as it wasn't at Me, I don't mind! [_They pass on._