to
give me your unvarnished opinion of me. Please go on.

MISS PAYSLEY--I've described the first and second layers of the cake.

MR. JARVIS--Isn't there any frosting?

MISS PAYSLEY (_aside_)--They simply are insatiable for praise.
(_Aloud._) The frosting doesn't count. I've been eating the frosting
ever since I met you.

MR. JARVIS (_meekly_)--I hope you liked it.

MISS PAYSLEY (_harking back to the last remark but one_)--This
superimposed you has different tastes, likes different women--and is
more easily taken in.

MR. JARVIS--How more easily taken in?

MISS PAYSLEY (_aside_)--I thought I'd get a rise. Now for the plunge.
(_Aloud._) I mean that in your own world, among the people who think
as you do, you can tell the real ones from those who are only shams.

MR. JARVIS (_quickly_)--Whereas, in the world represented by what we
have agreed to call the upper layer of the cake, I don't know a lump
of flour from a raisin?

MISS PAYSLEY--Exactly.

MR. JARVIS--May I ask if you are a real raisin--as I've given you the
credit of being?

MISS PAYSLEY--Oh! you should know what I am. I don't belong to the
upper layer--the highly spiced one.

MR. JARVIS--Would you mind telling me if there is any particular lump
of flour now passing itself off on me as a raisin?

MISS PAYSLEY (_with dignity_)--My good man, this is palmistry, not a
life saving expedition! (_Aside._) He's a little too quick.

MR. JARVIS--It seemed to me to have something to do with the art of
portrait painting.

MISS PAYSLEY--I'm not responsible, am I, for the lines in your hand?

MR. JARVIS--No, nor for your opinion of me.

MISS PAYSLEY (_aside_)--You can't get a rise out of me that way.
(_Aloud._) No, nor for that, either.

MR. JARVIS--Let's sift down the evidence. I'm in danger of losing
something that is precious to me, or, rather, I'm in danger of paying
with my gold piece for a brazen image. I don't follow my best impulses
to the end. I'm a layer cake with a substantial piece of home-made
cake for my under layer and an inferior article on top. Miss Paysley,
would you kindly tell me if this cross in my left hand is a warning to
avoid widows with pale, gold hair?

MISS PAYSLEY--I wish you would tell me if you came out here with the
honest intention of having your fortune told?

MR. JARVIS (_aside._)--She can give Mrs. Orton cards and spades.
(_Aloud._) Did you come out here with the intention of telling my
fortune?

MISS PAYSLEY (_slo