He also goes into the house, but comes out immediately, having suddenly remembered that it is time to go to dinner.
Mrs. Hoggins appears upon the scene once more, and encounters Plapper, who asks: “Well, Ma’am, and what have you done about it?” “Done? If you would do something, instead of standing there talking like a monkey, perhaps we should know where we are.”
In an interval of the conversation a loud sound of kissing is heard, and Mrs. Hoggins demands what it is. “Water oozing through my ceiling,” says Plapper. Mrs. Hoggins laughs satirically and retires. She apparently finds Robert making love to Bridget, for he suddenly appears running out of the house very hurriedly, followed by the fiery remarks of Mrs. Hoggins. He is making a few rejoinders when Jim, the plumber, returns just in time to say that his wife is expecting him home to afternoon tea. A general chorus of excited abuse is then heard, in which Mr. Plapper joins from the background. So Jim walks away, saying that he will cut all the water off, leaving them nothing to drink, let alone wash in, until next day.
This may seem very poor fun, but when staged and supplemented with good strong patter it should be most amusing. Opportunities always arise for introducing smart remarks and witty rejoinders, which cannot fail to “bring the house down.”
Complete sets of figures, with the various plays for which they are intended, can be purchased from all good shops making a specialty of entertainment requisites, but it is more interesting to make everything for oneself; and the prospective shadow showman may feel assured that, with care and patience, he will be able to give a performance that, costing but a dollar or two, will prove quite as entertaining as one purchased at many times the sum.
CHAPTER XXXIII
LIGHTNING CARTOONS AND “FAKE” SKETCHING
A Novel Form of Drawing-Room Entertainment
An exhibition of skill which cannot fail to win appreciation from any audience, particularly one composed largely of grown-ups, is that of making lightning cartoons and sketches. It is, however, a form of entertainment which should be undertaken only by those possessing some artistic qualifications. Although lightning cartoons do not call for any great genius, yet those with an inherent taste for caricaturing will find themselves the best exponents of the work.
On the other hand, the task may be undertaken by any youth with even a moderate knowledge of drawing, because by the observation of the few rules hereafter indicated, quite passable and pleasing results may be obtained. The apparatus required is simple and easy to procure. The first essential is a cheap easel, which can be purchased for fifty cents from any art store. To give it a presentable appearance for a drawing-room entertainment, it should be stained with any oak or mahogany composition. Those who possess a bent for carpentering will perhaps prefer to make their own easel. It can be made from 2 inch battening. First cut two pieces to the required height, and glue or mortise together with two stays, A and B ([Fig. 1]). Drill holes for the reception of pegs at CC. A further length, D, will also be needed for the back stay, hinged at E. F shows a section of the hinging.