Punch, or the London Charivari

Waitress (puzzled). We can give you "Convent eggs" if you prefer it.

The E. L. I never encourage superstition--poach them.

Enter a Vegetarian Enthusiast, with a Neophyte, to whom he is playing Amphitryon.

The Veg. Enth. (selecting a table with great care). Always like to be near the stove, and out of the draught. (The prettiest Waitress approaches, and greets him with a sacerdotal sweetness, as one of the Faith, while to the Neophyte--whom she detects, at a glance, as still without the pale--she is severely tolerant.) Now, what are you going to have? [Passing him the bill of fare.

The Neoph. (inspecting the document helplessly). Well, really, er--I think I'd better follow your lead.

The Veg. Enth. I generally begin with a plate of porridge myself--clears the pal