"Will you help us?"
"Confess, pray, and do penance," said Thomas.
"Will you tell us something of the hereafter?" asked Countess Dolores, paling somewhat.
"Hell, if you go on this way," said Thomas.
"Then what must I do?" asked Dolores, almost trembling.
"Be converted," was the reply.
"That is all well and good," said Bommeldoos, "but I know at least twelve religions, and twice as many systems of philosophy. To which of them must we be converted?"
"Be still, you heretic," was the parting shot.
Such treatment as that was a bit too much for the learned Professor, and he declared he had had enough of it, and could better employ his time.
The society was of one mind—that the manifestations this evening had not been propitious. The medium ascribed this to her own indisposition. She had suffered the entire day with a headache, and, moreover, there were—she was certain of it—unfavorable influences present. Saying this, she cast a reproachful glance at the Professor.