a wreath round his neck to do with the Russian ballet?"

_Counsel_ (in despair). "Not the Lord Mayor, my Lord; the Lion."

_Judge_ (testily). "Then will the witness please say the word Lion
whenever she wishes to refer to the Lion?"

_Cissy_ (imperturbably). "I don't want to refer to it no more, 'cos I
collared the wreath, and 'olding it over my 'ead I danced round the
Square, just like the posters of them Russian dancers."

_His Lordship_ (irritably). "Which particular poster was she desirous
of realising?"

_Counsel_. "My Lord, I think it must be the one of a slim and classic
youth dancing the Bacchanal with a wreath uplifted over his head."

_His Lordship_ (looking at Cissie's ample form completely filling the
witness-box, murmurs), "No, I cannot see the picture at all."

_Counsel_. "Nor I, my Lord, believe me."

Then volunteered Cissie, "He gave me two sovereigns."

_Judge_. "What, the Lion? does he give money as well as parties?"

_Counsel_ (desperately). "Not the Lion this time, my Lord, but the
Lord Mayor. Did you consider that the Lord Mayor was sober when he
gave you this money?"

_Cissie_. "Lor bless yer, yes, as sober as his Honour there the
blessed Judge himself."

_Judge_ (with complexion rapidly changing from pink to crimson). "Do
not refer to me again in such a way. It is most improper."

_Cissie_ (obligingly). "Very well, my dear."

_Judge_ (very annoyed). "Do not address me as my dear, do not address
me at all, direct your remarks to Counsel, please."

_Cissie_ (tossing her head). "Wot o'! now we shan't be long."

_Counsel_ (soothingly). "No, Mrs. Laurie, as you observe, we shall not
be long now. Will you kindly tell me where you met the Lord Mayor,
previous to your meeting with him in Trafalgar Square?"

_Cissie_. "Yes, I first met him in a Pantomime."

_Counsel_. "In a Pantomime; very good."

_Cissie_. "Yus, I was playing Principal Boy, dressed in a green velvet
jacket, green ostrich plumes in my 'air, and a pink pair of silk
tights. Oh, you should just 'ave seen the pink silk tights, bran new
ones."

_Counsel_ (hastily). "Thank you, that is sufficient; a detailed
description of the costume you wore is immaterial to the case."

_Cissie_. "Oh, is it? then I don't see the object of my being dragged
'ere if I ain't to describe my costume."

_Counsel_. "That will do, thank you, Mrs. Laurie; stand down."

_Cissie_. "Dragging me all the way 'ere, when the