Tommy. But pray, Harry, have you no more particulars to tell me about these Pantomimes?
Harry. You can judge for yourself, Master Tommy.
Tommy was so affected with this rebuke, that he only restrained his tears by a strong physical exertion, which resulted in his giving Harry a kick on the shins underneath the table. For this, being a boy of generous disposition, he had the good-breeding and courtesy to apologise, in time to avert the severe damage which his head would have received at the hands of his friend Harry; and, in order to propitiate the justly-aroused anger of Mr. Barlow, Master Tommy offered to treat Harry Sandford and their worthy preceptor to the play that very night; a proposal which, after some show of reluctance, both Mr. Barlow and Harry Sandford cordially accepted.
At Drury Lane.—On their arrival in the lobby of the Dress Circle, a kindly-spoken gentleman insisted upon relieving the party of their coats, and gave them a programme of the performance, for which they returned him their most sincere thanks; Mr. Barlow, moreover, promised him a gratuity on his leaving the theatre. This promise was accompanied by a significant look at Harry, who fully appreciated his worthy preceptor's conduct. As to Tommy, he was too full of wonder and admiration of all he saw to notice this transaction, and, indeed, the questions which arose to his lips during the evening were so numerous, that, with a discretion beyond his years, he determined to reserve them for a future occasion.
The Pantomime was Tom Thumb.
Harry. The Vokes's are very comical people with their legs.
Mr. Barlow. Yes, truly; and, being so, it is a thousand pities any of them should attempt to sing. Their dancing is highly amusing.
Tommy was here very much alarmed by the appearance of a Giant's head over the castle wall. His fears were not allayed when the Giant ate Tom Thumb, who, on his re-appearance from the Giant's mouth, was taken up in the claws of a huge bird. This made Tommy cry; and it was not until Mr. Barlow had explained to him that the object of the Pantomime was to make little boys and girls laugh, that he at all recovered his wonted spirits. However, on seeing that Harry was smiling, and that Mr. Barlow was composing himself to sleep, he was reassured by their demeanour, and became deeply interested in the stage representation.
At the Scene of Dresden China Watteauesque figures, Tommy's delight declared itself in loud applause.