Mr. Moul. A animal! where? Ah, I can make out somethink now. (With pleased surprise.) And look—there's a man layin' down right in front—do you see?
Mrs. Moul. Well, I never! so there is! To think o' that now. They 'ave got it up nice, I will say that.
[They pass out, pleased with their own powers of observation.
In the Indian Theatre.
Hindu Magician (as he squats on the stage and takes out serpents from flat baskets). Here is a sna-ake—no bite—Bombay cobra, verri good cobra. (Introducing them formally to audience.) Dis beeg cobra, dis smahl cobra. (One of them erects its hood and strikes at his foot, which he withdraws promptly.) No bite, verri moch nice sna-ake. (He plays a tune to them; one listens coldly and critically, the others slither rapidly towards the edge of the platform, to the discomposure of spectators in the front row; the Magician recaptures them by the tail at the critical moment, ties them round his neck and arms, and then puts them away, like toys.) Here I have shtone; verri good Inglis shtone. I hold so. (Closing it in his fist.) Go away, shtone. Go to Chicago, Leeverpool, Hamburg. (Opening fist.) Shtone no dere. I shut again. (Opening fist.) One, two, Inglis shillin's. (Singling out a Spectator.) You, Sar, come up here queeck. Comonn!
The Spectator. Not me! Not among all them snakes you've got there—don't you think it!
The Magician and a Tom-tom player (together). Verri nice sna-akes—no bite. Comonn, help play.
Angelina (to Edwin, as the invitation is coyly but firmly declined). Edwin, do go up and help the man—to please me. And if you find him out in cheating, you can expose him, you know.
[Edwin clambers up and stands, smiling feebly, at the Magician's side amidst general applause.
The Magician (to Edwin). Sit down, sit down, sit down. Now you count—how menni sillings? Dere is seeks.