_A Suburban Lady (to Female Friend)._ Oh dear, _how_ stupid of me! I _quite_ forgot to bring a pencil! Oh, _thank_ you, dear, that will do _beautifully_. It's just a _little_ blunt; but so long as I can _mark_ with it, you know. You don't think we should avoid the crush if we began at the end room? Well, perhaps it _is_ less confusing to begin at the beginning, and work steadily through.
_A small group has collected before_ Mr. WYLLIE'S "Davy Jones's Locker," _which they inspect solemnly for some time before venturing to commit themselves to any opinion_.
_First Visitor (after devoting his whole mind to the subject)._ Why, it's the Bottom of the Sea--at least (_more cautiously_), that's what it seems to be _intended_ for.
_Second V._ Ah, and very well done, too. I wonder, now, how he managed to stay down long enough to paint all that?
_Third V._ Practice, I suppose. I've seen writing done under water myself. But that was a tank!
_Fourth V. (presumably in profound allusion to the fishes and sea-anemones)._ Well, they seem to be 'aving it all their own way down there, don't they? [_The Group, feeling that this remark sums up the situation, disperses._
_The Suburban Lady (her pencil in full play)._ No. 93. Now what's _that_ about? Oh, "_Forbidden Sweets_,"--yes, to be sure. _Isn't_ that charming? Those two dear little tots having their tea, and the kitten with its head stuck in the jam-pot, and the label and all, and the sticky spoon on the nursery table-cloth--so _natural_! I really _must_ mark that. (_Awards this distinction._) 97. "_Going up Top._" Yes, _of course_. Look, LUCY dear, that little fellow has just answered a question, and his master tells him he may go to the top of the class, do you _see_? And the big boy looking so sulky, he's wishing he had learnt his lesson better. I do think it's _so_ clever--all the different expressions. Yes, I shall _certainly_ mark that!
_The S. L. (doubtfully)._ H'm, No. 156. "_Cloud Chariots_"? Not very _like_ chariots, though, _are_ they?
_Her Friend._ I expect it's one of those sort of pictures that you have to look at a long time, and then things gradually come _out_ of it, you know.
_The S. L._ It may be. (_Tries the experiment._) No, _I_ can't make _anything_ come out--only just clouds and their reflections. (_Struggling between good-nature and conscientiousness._) I _don't_ think I _can_ mark that.