Or the merest trifle mad—
If there's rhino to be had,
Why, a modern girl will tyke you—yes, and only be too glad!"
As she carolled out this charming ditty in her thin high voice, TIME positively shivered in his stall, "Are all the girls like that in Seriocomix?" he moaned. "I trust not."
"It seems the fashion to assume so here, at any rate," said Mr. Punch, not without a hazy recollection of having heard very similar sentiments in Music Halls much nearer home than Seriocomix. "The young woman is probably an authority on the subject. Are you off already?"
"Yes," said TIME, as he made for the exit. "I think she is going to sing again presently. Come along!"
At the next Music Hall they were just in time to hear the announcement of a new Patriotic Song, and old TIME, who had in his day seen great and noble deeds accomplished by men who loved and were proud of their Fatherland, was disposed to congratulate both himself and the audience on the choice of topic.
Only, as the song went on, he seemed dissatisfied somehow, as if he had expected some loftier and more exalted strain. And yet it was a high-spirited song, too, and told the Seriocomicans what fine fellows they were, and how naturally superior to the inhabitants of all other planets, while the chorus ran as follows:—
"Yes, we never stand a foreigner's dictation!
No matter if we're wrong or if we're right;