Part 11 (2/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: A CONDUCTOR OF HEAT]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”STARTLING EFFECTS!”

_Peep-Showman._ ”On the right you observe the 'xpress train a-comin'

along, an' the signal lights, the green and the red. The green lights means 'caution,' and the red lights si'nifies 'danger'”----

_Small Boy_ (_with his eye to the aperture_). ”But what's the yaller light, sir?”

_Peep-Showman_ (_slow and impressive_). ”There ain't no yaller light--but the green and the red. The green lights means 'caution,' and the red lights si'nif----”

_Small Boy_ (_persistently_). ”But wha's the other light, sir?”

_Peep-Showman_ (_losing patience_). ”Tell yer there ain't no”----(_takes a look--in consternation_)--”Blowed if the darned old show ain't a-fire!!”]

EX NIHILO NIHIL FIT

[”Fas.h.i.+ons in drama change as frequently as fas.h.i.+ons in hats. It has been reserved for our own day to evolve the comedy of nothing-in-particular. Nowadays nothing happens in a play.”--_The Outlook._]

SCENE--_Nowhere in particular._

CHARACTERS.

HE, _a nonent.i.ty_.

SHE, _another_.

_He._ Dear----!

_She_ (_wearily_). Oh please don't. [_Does nothing._

_He._ Why, what's the matter?

_She._ Nothing.

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