Punch, or the London Charivari

n"; inside the wickets a small crowd is waiting for the door to be opened. A Cautious Man comes up to the turnstile with the air of a fox examining a trap._

The Cautious Man (_to the Commissionnaire_). How long can I stay in for sixpence?

The Commissionnaire. Ten Minutes, Sir.

_The C.M._ Only ten minutes, eh? But, look here, how do I know there'll be anything going on while I'm in there?

_Comm._ You'll find out that from the instruments, Sir.

_The C.M._ Ah, I daresay--but what I mean is, suppose there's nothing _to hear_--between the Acts and all that?

_Comm._ Comp'ny guarantees there's a performance on while you're in the room, Sir.

[Illustration: "How very distinctly you hear the dialogue, Sir, don't you?"]

_The C.M._ Yes, but all these other people waiting to get in--How'm I to know I shall get a _place_?

_Comm._ (_outraged_). Look 'ere, Sir, we're the National Telephone Comp'ny with a reputation to lose, and if you've any ideer we