d Melchior to Num, in an imperative voice.

"I don't know," said Num, looking up with his idiotical, melancholy
face.

"Ha! ha! ha!" roared the crowd at Num's stupid answer.

"The fellow's a fool!" said Melchior, to the gaping audience.

"Well, then, if he can't tell; perhaps you may, Mr Dionysius," said I,
addressing Tim.

"How many, sir? Do you want to know exactly and directly?"

"Yes, sir, immediately."

"Without counting, sir?"

"Yes, sir, without counting."

"Well then, sir, I will tell, and make no mistake; there's _exactly as
many again as half_."

"Ha! ha! ha!" from the crowd.

"That won't do, sir. How many may be the half?"

"How many may be the half? Do you know yourself, sir?"

"Yes, sir, to be sure I do."

"Then there's no occasion for me to tell you."

"Ha! ha! ha!"

"Well then, sir," continued Melchior to Philotas, "perhaps you'll tell
how many ladies and gentlemen we may expect to honour us with their
company to-night."

"How many, sir?"

"Yes, sir, how many?"

"I'm sure I don't know," said Num, after a pause.

"Positively you are the greatest fool I ever met with," said Melchior.

"Well, he does act the fool as natural as life," observed the crowd.
"What a stupid face he does put on!"

"Perhaps you will be able to answer that question. Mr Dionysius," said
I to Tim.

"Yes, sir, I know exactly."

"Well, sir, let's hear."

"In the first place, all the pretty women will come, and all the ugly
ones stay away; and as for the men, all those who have got any money
will be certain to come; those who hav'n't, poor devils, must stay
outside."

"Suppose, sir, you make a bow to the ladies."

"A very low one, sir?"

"Yes, very low indeed."

Tim bent his body to the ground, and threw a somerset forward. "There,
sir; I bowed so low, that I came up on the other side."

"Ha! ha! capital!" from the crowd.

"I've got a round turn in my back, sir," continued Tim, rubbing himself.
"Hadn't I better take it out again?"

"By all means."

Tim threw a somerset backwards. "There, sir, all's right now. One good
turn deserves another. Now I'll be off."

"Where are you going to, sir?"

"Going sir! Why, I left my lollipop in the tinder-box, and I'm going to
fetch it."

"Ha! ha! ha!"

"Strike up, music!" and Master Jumbo commenced tumbling.

Such was the elegant wit with which we amused and attracted the
audience. Perhaps, had we been more refined, we should not have been