"It's nothing but a hash of old mesmeric tricks I've seen performed at country fairs."
"But doesn't it tell you how to do them?"
"It pretends to. It gives some ridiculous directions--but I don't believe they can be done that way."
"Try!--do!--on me!"
Mr. Pownceby laughed. Mrs. Pratt amused him; and not for the first time either.
"To begin with, we have to sit face to face and stare at each other for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour."
"Come along! Let's begin."
The lady brought forward a couple of chairs and they sat down on them, face to face; and very close together. Opening the pamphlet, Mr. Pownceby searched for further instructions.
"You're not staring at me," remarked the lady.
"Half a minute; I'm looking for what comes next."