"
"Now as to that", said Colombo, somewhat embarrassed at the turn
of the conversation for WEST had merely happened to better suit
the rhymes of his poem, "you may be right, and I should not go so
far as to say you are wrong, but still at the same time", said
Colombo, "is there any gentleman in the audience who can lend me
an egg and a silk hat?"
And when an unmentionable egg and a doubtful silk hat had been
produced in a manner which it is not convenient to mention
Colombo rolled up both his sleeves and spoke the magic speech as
he had learned it on a certain Thursday from the sorcerer
Thyrston.
"Ladies and gentlemen", said Colombo, "I have here a common
household egg which I shall now ask the ushers to pass among you
so you may see for yourself that there are no wires or strings
attached. While this is being done, ladies and gentlemen, I wish
that three of you would step up on the stage. Any three--don't
be bashful girls-- I won't hurt you. Won't that couple over
there kindly oblige me-- that married couple--no, folks, I guess
they aren't married either-- they look too happy."
Very painful it was to Colombo to hear these horrible jokes
coming from his mouth, but Thyrston had quoted the authority of
all successful sorcerers and not for anything would Colombo have
had his trick a failure.
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