Tommy. Are those the Clowns? I thought you said, Sir, that there was only one Clown!
Mr. Barlow. To the eye of the rightly constituted mind there can be but one Clown; and our mental vision is only disturbed and confused by this multiplication of drolls.
Mr. Barlow further explained that the Clown is human like ourselves; whereat Tommy expressed himself dissatisfied.
Mr. Barlow. As the comic scenes appear to depress you, Harry, and as Tommy is evidently becoming tired and cross withal, it were best to leave.
Harry. Indeed, Sir, this Pantomime reminds me of what you told me about the shape of the earth.
Mr. Barlow. I do not see, Harry, how you connect the two subjects. There is a vast difference between this planet and a Pantomime.
Harry. Indeed, Sir, there is; for our planet is entirely round, and this Pantomime is remarkably flat.
Mr. Barlow. Beware of such wholesale condemnations, my dear Harry; this Pantomime has already given delight to some twenty thousand persons, every one, it may be, as good as yourself.
Tommy was much pleased, however, at Harry's application of a scientific fact, and expressed his determination of learning Astronomy at once, in order that he might be as ready as Harry on any suitable occasion.
On quitting the theatre, Mr. Barlow promised the box-keeper a sixpence, whereat the poor man could scarcely refrain from embracing his benefactor. So they left.