I have seen
some very curious things myself, but the very fact that I did not
understand how they were done was no proof they could not be explained;
certainly two of their commonest tricks, the basket trick and the
mango, have never been explained. Our conjurers at home can do
something like them, but then that is on a stage, where they can
have trapdoors and all sorts of things, while these are done anywhere
--in a garden, on a road--where there could be no possible
preparation, and with a crowd of lookers on all round; it makes me
quite uncomfortable to look at it."
"Well, I must be off now, Mrs. Hunter; it is nearly time for uncle
to be back, and he likes me to be in when he returns."
CHAPTER IX.
Dr. Wade was sitting in the veranda smoking and reading an English
paper that had arrived by that morning's mail, when Isobel returned.
"Good morning, Doctor. Is uncle back?"
"Not yet. He told me he might be half an hour late, and that I was
to come round and amuse you until he came back."
"So in my absence you have been amusing yourself, Doctor. I have
been round at Mrs. Hunter's; she is going to have a juggler there
this evening, and we are all to go."
"Yes, I got a chit from her this morning. I have seen scores of
them, but I make a point of never missing an exhibition when I get
the chance. I hate anything I don't understand, and I go with the
faint hope of being able to find things out, though I know perfectly
well that I shall not do so.
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