'To be taken twenty times a day, I presume,' observed the stranger,
with a wink; 'no offence meant, sir,' as Villiers showed a
disposition to resent this, 'merely a repartee. Good for a comedy, I
fancy; what do you think?'
'I think,' said Mr Villiers, handing him back the flask, 'that
you're very eccentric.'
'Eccentric?' replied the other, in an airy tone, 'not at all, sir.
I'm merely a civilized being with the veneer off. I am not hidden
under an artificial coat of manner. No, I laugh--ha! ha! I skip, ha!
ha!' with a light trip on one foot. 'I cry,' in a dismal tone. 'In
fact, I am a man in his natural state--civilized sufficiently, but
not over civilized.'
'What's your name?' asked Mr Villiers, wondering whether the portly
gentleman was mad.
For reply the stranger dived into another pocket, and, bringing to
light a long bill-poster, held it up before Mr Villiers.
'Read! mark! and inwardly digest!' he said in a muffled tone behind
the bill.
This document set forth in red, black, and blue letters, that the
celebrated Wopples Family, consisting of twelve star artistes, were
now in Ballarat, and would that night appear at the Academy of Music
in their new and original farcical comedy, called 'The Cruet-Stand'.
Act I: Pepper! Act II: Mustard! Act III: Vinegar.
'You, then,' said Villiers, after he had perused this document, 'are
Mr Wopples?'
'Theodore Wopples, at your service,' said that gentleman, rolling up
the bill, then putting it into his pocket, he produced therefrom a
batch of tickets.
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