THE C. O. G. (_flaming unexpectedly_). No, Sir, I did _not_. I am not in the habit--whatever _you_ may be--of discussing my private affairs with strangers. I consider your remark highly impertinent, Sir. [_Fumes in silence for the rest of the journey._ THE YOUNG LADY WITH THE PARCEL (_to her friend--for the sake of vindicating her gentility_). Oh, my dear, _I_ do feel so funny, carrying a great brown-paper parcel, in a bus, too! Any one would take me for a shop-girl! [Illustration: "GO 'OME, DIRTY DICK!"] A GRIM OLD LADY OPPOSITE. And I only hope, my dear, you'll never be taken for any one less respectable. [_Collapse of_ GENTEEL Y.L. FIRST HUMOROUS 'ARRY (_recognising a friend on entering_). Excuse me stoppin' your kerridge, old man, but I thought you wouldn't mind givin' me a lift, as you was goin' my way. SECOND H. 'A. Quite welcome, old chap, so long as you give my man a bit when you git down, yer know. FIRST H. 'A. Oh, o' course--that's expected between gentlemen. (_Both look round to see if their facetiousness is appreciated, find it is not and subside._) THE CONDUCTOR. Benk, benk! (_he means "Bank"_) 'Oborn, benk! 'Igher up there, Bill, can't you? A DINGY MAN SMOKING, IN A VAN. Want to block up the ole o' the road, eh? That's right! THE CONDUCTOR (_roused to personality_). Go 'ome, Dirty Dick! syme old soign, I see,--"Monkey an' Poipe!" (_To Coachman of smart brougham which is pressing rather closely behind._) I say old man, don't you race after my bus like this--you'll only tire your 'orse. [_The Coachman affects not to have heard._ THE CONDUCTOR (_addressing the brougham horse, whose head is almost through the door of the omnibus_). 'Ere, _'ang_ it all!--step insoide, if yer want to! [_Brougham falls to rear--triumph of_ CONDUCTOR _as Scene closes_. At a Sale of High-Class Sculpture. SCENE--_An upper floor in a City Warehouse; a low whitewashed room, dimly lighted by dusty windows and two gas-burners in wire cages. Around the walls are ranged several statues of meek aspect, securely confined in barred wooden cases, like a sort of marble menagerie. In the centre, a labyrinthine grove of pedestals, surmounted by busts, groups, and statuettes by modern Italian masters. About these pedestals a small crowd--consisting of Elderly Merchants on the look out for a "neat thing in statuary" for the conservatory at Croydon or Muswell Hill, Young City Men who have dropped in after lunch, Disinterested Dealers, Upholsterers' Buyers, Obliging Brokers, and Grubby and Mysterious men--is cautiously circulating._