dy_ (_dropping the tubes, startled._) Where did _that_ come
from?

_The Com. M._ They've been and cut it off at the main--just when it
was getting interesting!

_His Fiancee_. Well, I can't say I made out much of the plot myself.

_The Com. M._ I made out enough to cover a sixpence, anyhow. You
didn't expect the telephone to explain it all to you goin' along, and
give you cawfee between the Acts, did you?

_The Ch. O.G._ (_sidling affably up to the Irritable Person as he
is moving out_). Marvellous strides Science has made of late, Sir!
Almost incredible. I declare to _you_, while I was sitting there, I
positively felt inclined to ask myself the question--

_The Irr. P._ Allow me to say, Sir, that another time, if you will
obey that inclination, and put the question to yourself instead of
other people, you will be a more desirable neighbour in a Telephone
Room than, I confess I found you!

[_He turns on his heel, indignantly._

_The Ch. O.G._ (_to himself_). 'Strordinary what unsociable people one
_does_ come across at times! Now I 'm always ready to talk to anybody,
I am--don't care _who_ they are. Well--well-- [_He walks on, musing._

* * * * *

[Illustration: QUITE NATURAL.

_Mamma._ "ETHEL DEAR, WHY WON'T YOU SAY GOOD-BYE TO THIS GENTLEMAN? HE
IS VERY KIND!"

_Ethel._ "BECAUSE, MUMMY DEAR, YOU TOLD HIM JUST NOW HE IS 'THE LION
OF THE SEASON,'--AND I AM SO FRIGHTENED!"]

* * * * *

"DE PROFUNDIS."

(_BY AN INDIGNANT "OUTSIDER."_)

A masterpiece, worthy of TURNER,
Was mine, there my friends all agree,
No work of a pot-boiling learner,
My "_View on the Dee_."

A place on the line I expected,
Associate shortly to be!
Hang me, if it isn't rejected,
And marked with a D!

I will not repeat what I uttered
When this was reported to me;
The mere monosyllable muttered
Begins with a D.

* * * * *

ON THE (POST) CARDS.

Various, or Various Production, is an English dubstep/electronic music duo formed in 2003. The group blends samples, acoustic and electronic instrumentation, and singing from a revolving cast of vocalists. Its members, Adam and Ian, purposefully give very little information about the group or themselves, and tend to do little in the way of self-promotion.[1] Nevertheless, the group began winning critical acclaim with its single releases in 2005 and 2006.[2] Their full-length for XL, The World is Gone, arrived in July of 2006.[3][4][5][6][7] They have released a large number of vinyl EPs and 7 records, as well as digital exclusives for Rough Trade, iTunes, and Boomkat.[8]

Eugene Manlove Rhodes (January 19, 1869 June 27, 1934) was a writer who was nicknamed the cowboy chronicler. Rhodes was born in Tecumseh, Nebraska. He moved to New Mexico with his parents in 1881 and fell in love with the state. By age sixteen, he was an accomplished stone mason and road builder. He helped build the road from Engle, New Mexico, to Tularosa, New Mexico.

Alice B. Emerson is a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for the Betty Gordon and Ruth Fielding series of childrens novels. Actual writers taking up the pen of Alice B. Emerson are unknown.