But, there, it's no use palavering. Some day the
matter will be put to the test?"
"By a war?"
"No; by the Fleet starting for a cruise in calm weather. Some say we
should all go to the bottom. But I am talking of the Planet Neptune.
On your little Earth, I suppose, things are _very_ different?"
"Very," replied _Mr. Punch_. "_We_ have the Admiralty!"
And considering this an appropriate moment for departure, the Sage and
his Venerable Companion floated amongst the stars.
* * * * *
[Illustration: AMONG THE DRAMATIC AND OPERATIC STARS.
AIRY FAIRY LILIAN.
KING ARTHUR.
THE ONLY ADELINA.
OUR ELLEN.
OUR HENRY.
THE GRASSHOPERATIC STAR.
THE SOCIETY CLOWN.
"O.K."
OUR JOHNNIE.]
* * * * *
ARTISTIC STARS.
[Illustration]
"It's wonderful!" exclaimed TIME. "We haven't got anything like this
on Earth."
"Plenty more where they come from," said his Guide Philosopher and
Friend; "but now just give me a lock of your hair, and I'll stand you
a fly through the artistic quarter."
And Mr. PUNCH, like Beauty, "drawing him with a single hair," carried
the Ancient Wanderer along with him, past galaxies of talent,
musical, dramatic, and operatic, refusing to stop and gratify the old
Gentleman's pardonable curiosity.
"I know I've got Time for it all," quoth the flying Sage, "but I
haven't space, that's where the difficulty is.
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