earnestly intent upon solving the problems of existence to tolerate humour
in its literature. Humour has served a certain purpose in its day, but that
day is done, and I for one cannot pretend to regret its decay.

_Miss H. P._ Nor I. In fact, the only humour I ever _really_ appreciated
is that of the ancient classics. There has been no true fun since
ARISTOPHANES died. At least, _I_ think not.

_Podb._ (_catching the last sentence_). Oh, I say, come, Miss PRENDERGAST.
Have you ever read "The Jumping Frog"?

_Miss P._ I was under the impression that _all_ frogs jumped. But I never
read--I--ah--_study_.

_Podb._ (_declining to be crushed_). Well, I call MARK TWAIN funny anyhow.
But _I'm_ going in for study now. I am--honour bright! I'm swotting up
SPENCER--look!

[_He exhibits the volume proudly._

_Miss P._ And are you not enchanted by the logical lucidity of that great
thinker?

_Podb._ Um--I should be more enchanted if I ever had the faintest notion
what the great thinker was driving at. Look here--here's a simple little
sentence for you! _(Reads.)_ "Let us therefore bear in mind the
following:--That of the whole incident force affecting an aggregate, the
effective force is that which remains after deducting the non-effective,
that the temporarily effective and the permanently effective vary
inversely, and that the molar and molecular changes wrought by the