Milburd says it's just the thing to while away a happy hour, and instances the Polytechnic as being his favourite place of amusement in London.
Mr. Soames replies to this that the Polytechnic and himself are different institutions.
“All right,” says Milburd; “go ahead!” Whereupon Milburd rushes into the library. Silence during his absence. It is broken by Medford asking Boodels if he's ever seen the trick with the shilling in the tumbler? Boodels replies that he has, but would like to see it again. Medford is just producing his shilling when the Professor returns. The Professor, who has been searching for something in his note book, now asks if they (the ladies) really wish to hear some of his new book.
“Oh! do!” enthusiastically everybody.
“I will fetch it down,” says the Professor, much pleased, and leaves the room.
Medford holds up the shilling and says, “You see this shilling.” Boodels begs his pardon for a minute, and, referring to the Professor, asks, “I say, haven't we let ourselves into too much of a good thing?”
Mrs. Frimmely observes “that it'll be something to do.”
Miss Adelaide says, “I hate lectures.”
Miss Bella strikes in with, “Well, if he bores, we can ask him questions.”
It appears that he's going to have a lively time of it.