In Gallery No. V.
(Two Prosaic Persons come upon a little picture, by Mr. Swan, of a boy lying on a rock, piping to fishes.)
First P. P. That's a rum thing!
Second P. P. Yes, I wasn't aware myself that fishes were so partial to music.
First P. P. They may be—out there—(perceiving that the boy is unclad)—but it's peculiar altogether—they look like herrings to me.
Second P. P. Yes—or mackerel. But (tolerantly) I suppose it's a fancy subject.
[They consider that this absolves them from taking any further interest in it, and pass on.