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<v Speaker 1>Hello, and welcome back to Sleepy Stories. I'm your host, Lucy,

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<v Speaker 1>and my friends and I will be reading you a

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<v Speaker 1>sleepy bedtime story every week to relax you and to

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<v Speaker 1>help you to drift off into a RESTful sleep. From

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<v Speaker 1>time to time, we will also read you a relaxing,

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<v Speaker 1>peaceful meditation that will take you somewhere beautiful and calming.

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<v Speaker 1>Once we have read the stories, we will then read

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<v Speaker 1>them a second time, but this time they will be

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<v Speaker 1>ready even slower. This will help you to relax even more.

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<v Speaker 1>Before we begin, I would like you to close your

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<v Speaker 1>eyes and breathe in and out nice and deeply. Take

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<v Speaker 1>a few seconds to inhale, and then hold your breath

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<v Speaker 1>for a few seconds more, and then release and breathe out.

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<v Speaker 1>Do this a few times if you need to. While

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<v Speaker 1>you listen to the music and you listen to my voice,

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<v Speaker 1>give yourself time to let your body relax and your

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<v Speaker 1>mind settle. It's important that we allow time for us

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<v Speaker 1>selves to feel safe, cozy, and completely at ease. And

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<v Speaker 1>now it's time for this week's story.

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<v Speaker 2>The Magic Egg. The pretty little theater at attached to

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<v Speaker 2>the building of the Unicorn Club had been hired for

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<v Speaker 2>a certain January afternoon by mister Herbert Loring, who wished

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<v Speaker 2>to give therein a somewhat novel performance to which he

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<v Speaker 2>had invited a small audience consisting entirely of friends and acquaintances.

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<v Speaker 2>Loring was a handsome fellow about thirty years old, who

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<v Speaker 2>had traveled far and studied much. He had recently made

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<v Speaker 2>a long sojourn in the Far East, and his friends

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<v Speaker 2>had been invited to the theater to see some of

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<v Speaker 2>the wonderful things he had brought from that country of wonders.

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<v Speaker 2>As Loring was a club man and belonged to a

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<v Speaker 2>family of good social standing, his circle of acquaintances was large,

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<v Speaker 2>and in this circle a good many unpleasant remarks had

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<v Speaker 2>been made regarding the proposed entertainment, made of course by

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<v Speaker 2>the people who had not been invited to be present.

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<v Speaker 2>Some of the gossip on the subject had reached Loring,

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<v Speaker 2>who did not hesitate to say that he could not

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<v Speaker 2>talk to a crowd, and that he did not care

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<v Speaker 2>to show the curious things he had collected to people

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<v Speaker 2>who would not thoroughly appreciate them. He had been very

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<v Speaker 2>particular in regard to his invitations. At three o'clock on

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<v Speaker 2>the appointed afternoon, nearly all the people who had been

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<v Speaker 2>invited to the Unicorn Theater were in their seats. No

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<v Speaker 2>one had stayed away except for some very good reason,

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<v Speaker 2>for it was well known that if Herbert Loring offered

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<v Speaker 2>to show anything, it was worth seeing. About forty people

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<v Speaker 2>were present, who sat talking to one another or admiring

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<v Speaker 2>the decoration of the theater. As Loring stood upon the stage,

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<v Speaker 2>where he was entirely alone, his exhibition requiring no assistance,

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<v Speaker 2>he gazed through a loophole in the curtain upon a

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<v Speaker 2>very interesting array of faith. There were the faces of

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<v Speaker 2>many men and women of society, of students, of workers

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<v Speaker 2>in various fields of thought, and even of idlers in

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<v Speaker 2>all fields of thought. But there was not one which

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<v Speaker 2>indicated a frivolous or listless disposition. The owners of those

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<v Speaker 2>faces had come to see something, and they wished to

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<v Speaker 2>see it. For a quarter of an hour after the

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<v Speaker 2>time announced for the opening of the exhibition, Loring peered

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<v Speaker 2>through the hole in the curtain, and then, although all

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<v Speaker 2>the people he had expected had not arrived, he felt

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<v Speaker 2>it would not do for him to wait any longer.

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<v Speaker 2>The audience was composed of well bred and courteous men

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<v Speaker 2>and women, But despite their polite self restraint, Loring could

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<v Speaker 2>see that some of them were getting tired of waiting

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<v Speaker 2>so very reluctantly, and feeling that further delay was impossible,

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<v Speaker 2>he raised the curtain and came forward on the stage. Briefly,

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<v Speaker 2>he announced that the exhibition would open with some fireworks

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<v Speaker 2>he had brought from Korea. It was plain to see

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<v Speaker 2>that the statement that fireworks were about to be set

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<v Speaker 2>off on a theater stage by an amateur had rather

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<v Speaker 2>startled some of the audience, and Loring hastened to explain

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<v Speaker 2>that these were not real fireworks, but that they were

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<v Speaker 2>contrivances made of colored glass, which were illuminated by the

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<v Speaker 2>powerful lens of a lantern which was placed out of sight,

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<v Speaker 2>and while the apparent pyrotechnic display would resemble fireworks of

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<v Speaker 2>strange and grotesque design, it would be absolutely without danger.

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<v Speaker 2>He brought out some little bunches of bits of colored glass,

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<v Speaker 2>hung them at some distance apart on a wire which

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<v Speaker 2>was stretched across the stage, just high enough for him

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<v Speaker 2>to reach it, and then lighted his lantern, which he

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<v Speaker 2>placed in one of the wings, lowered all the lights

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<v Speaker 2>in the theater, and began his exhibition. As Luring turned

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<v Speaker 2>his lantern on one of the clusters of glass lenses, strips,

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<v Speaker 2>and points, and unseen himself, caused them to move by

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<v Speaker 2>means of long cords attached. The effects were beautiful and marvelous.

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<v Speaker 2>Little wheels of colored fire rapidly revolved, miniature rockets appeared

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<v Speaker 2>to rise a few feet and to explode in the air.

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<v Speaker 2>And while all the ordinary forms of fireworks were produced

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<v Speaker 2>on a diminutive scale, there were some effects that were

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<v Speaker 2>entirely novel to the audience. As the light was turned

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<v Speaker 2>successively upon one and another of the clusters of glass,

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<v Speaker 2>sometimes it would flash along the whole line so rapidly

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<v Speaker 2>that all the various combinations of color and motion seemed

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<v Speaker 2>to be combined in one. And then for a time,

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<v Speaker 2>each particular set of fireworks would blaze, sparkle, and chorus

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<v Speaker 2>gaate by itself, scattering particles of colored light as if

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<v Speaker 2>they had been real sparks of fire. This curious and

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<v Speaker 2>beautiful exhibition of miniature pyrotechnics was extremely interesting to the audience,

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<v Speaker 2>who gazed upward with wrapt and eager attention at the

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<v Speaker 2>line of wheels, stars, and revolving spheres. So far as

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<v Speaker 2>interest gave evidence of satisfaction, there was never a better

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<v Speaker 2>satisfied audience. At first, there had been some hushed murmurs

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<v Speaker 2>of pleasure, but very soon the attention of everyone seemed

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<v Speaker 2>so completely engrossed by the dazzling display that they simply

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<v Speaker 2>gazed in silence. For twenty minutes or longer. The glittering

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<v Speaker 2>show went on, and not a sign of weariness or

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<v Speaker 2>inattention was made by any one of the assembled company.

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<v Speaker 2>Then gradually the colors of the little fireworks faded, the

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<v Speaker 2>stars and wheels revolved more slowly, the lights in the

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<v Speaker 2>bible of the theater were gradually raised, and the stage

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<v Speaker 2>curtain went softly down anxiously, and a little pale Herbert

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<v Speaker 2>Loring peered through the loophole in the curtain. It was

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<v Speaker 2>not easy to judge of the effects of his exhibition,

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<v Speaker 2>and he did not know whether or not it had

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<v Speaker 2>been a success. There was no applause, but on the

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<v Speaker 2>other hand, there was no signs that anyone resented the

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<v Speaker 2>exhibition as a childish display of colored lights. It was

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<v Speaker 2>impossible to look upon that audience without believing that they

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<v Speaker 2>had been thoroughly interested in what they had seen, and

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<v Speaker 2>that they expected to see more. For two or three minutes,

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<v Speaker 2>Loring gazed through his loophole, and then, still with some

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<v Speaker 2>doubt in his heart, but with a little more color

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<v Speaker 2>in his checks, he prepared for the second part of

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<v Speaker 2>his performance. At this moment, there entered the theater at

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<v Speaker 2>the very back of the house a young lady. She

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<v Speaker 2>was handsome and well dressed, and as she opened the

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<v Speaker 2>door Loring had employed no ushers or other assistance in

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<v Speaker 2>this little social performance. She paused for a moment and

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<v Speaker 2>looked into the theater, and then noiselessly stepped to a

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<v Speaker 2>chair in the back row and sat down. This was

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<v Speaker 2>Edith's Starr, who a month before had been betrothed to

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<v Speaker 2>Herbert Loring. Edith and her mother had been invited to

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<v Speaker 2>this performance, and front seats had been reserved for them,

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<v Speaker 2>for each guest had received a numbered card. But missus

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<v Speaker 2>Starr had a headache and could not go out that afternoon,

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<v Speaker 2>and for a time her daughter had thought that she too,

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<v Speaker 2>must give up the pleasure Loring had promised her and

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<v Speaker 2>stay with her mother. But when the elder lady dropped

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<v Speaker 2>into a quiet sleep, Edith thought that late as it was,

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<v Speaker 2>she would go by herself and see what she could

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<v Speaker 2>of the performance. She was quite certain that if her

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<v Speaker 2>presence were known to Loring, he would stop whatever he

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<v Speaker 2>was doing until she had been provided with a seat

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<v Speaker 2>which he thought suitable for her, for he had made

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<v Speaker 2>a point of her being properly seated when he gave

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<v Speaker 2>the invitations. Therefore, being equally desirous of not disturbing the

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<v Speaker 2>performance and of not being herself conspicuous, she sat behind

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<v Speaker 2>two rather large men, where she could see the stage

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<v Speaker 2>perfectly well, but where she herself would not be likely

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<v Speaker 2>to be seen. In a few moments, the curtain rose

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<v Speaker 2>and Loring came forward, carrying a small light table, which

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<v Speaker 2>he placed near the front of the stage, and for

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<v Speaker 2>a moment stood quietly by it. Edith noticed upon his

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<v Speaker 2>face the expression of uncertainty and anxiety which had not

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<v Speaker 2>yet left it. Standing by the side of the table

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<v Speaker 2>and speaking very slowly but so clearly that his words

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<v Speaker 2>could be heard distinctly in all parts of the room,

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<v Speaker 2>he began some introductory remarks regarding the second part of

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<v Speaker 2>his performance. The extraordinary and I may say marvelous thing

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<v Speaker 2>which I am about to show you, he said, is

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<v Speaker 2>known among East Indian magicians as the magic egg. The

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<v Speaker 2>exhibition is a very uncommon one and has seldom been

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<v Speaker 2>seen by Americans or Europeans. And it was by a

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<v Speaker 2>piece of rare good fortune that I became possessed of

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<v Speaker 2>the appliances necessary for this exhibition. They are indeed very

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<v Speaker 2>few and simple, but never before, to the best of

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<v Speaker 2>my knowledge and belief, have they been seen outside of India.

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<v Speaker 2>I will now get the little box which contains the

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<v Speaker 2>articles necessary for this magical performance, and I will say

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<v Speaker 2>that if I had time to tell you of the

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<v Speaker 2>strange and amazing adventure which resulted in my possession of

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<v Speaker 2>this box, I am sure you would be as much

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<v Speaker 2>interested in that as I expect you to be in

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<v Speaker 2>the contents of the box. But in order that none

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<v Speaker 2>of you may think this is an ordinary trick executed

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<v Speaker 2>by means of concealed traps or doors, I wish you

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<v Speaker 2>to take particular notice of this table, which is, as

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<v Speaker 2>you see, a plain, unpainted pine table with nothing but

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<v Speaker 2>a flat top and four straight legs at the corners.

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<v Speaker 2>You can see under and around it, and it gives

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<v Speaker 2>no opportunity to conceal anything. Then standing for a few

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<v Speaker 2>moments as if he had something else to say. He

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<v Speaker 2>turned and stepped toward one of the wings. Edith was

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<v Speaker 2>troubled as she looked at her lover during these remarks.

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<v Speaker 2>Her interest was great, greater indeed than that of the

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<v Speaker 2>people about her, but it was not a pleasant interest.

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<v Speaker 2>As Loring stopped speaking and looked about him, there was

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<v Speaker 2>a momentary flush on his face. She knew this was

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<v Speaker 2>caused by excitement, and she was pale from the same cause.

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<v Speaker 2>Very soon Loring came forward and stood by the table.

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<v Speaker 2>Here is the box, he said, of which I spoke,

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<v Speaker 2>and as I hold it up, I think you all

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<v Speaker 2>can see it. It is not large, being certainly not

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<v Speaker 2>more than twelve inches in length, and too deep, but

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<v Speaker 2>it contains some very wonderful things. The outside of this

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<v Speaker 2>box is covered with delicate engraving and carving which you

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<v Speaker 2>cannot see. And these marks and lines have I think

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<v Speaker 2>some magical meaning, but I do not know what it is.

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<v Speaker 2>I will now open the box and show you what

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<v Speaker 2>is inside. The first thing I take out is this

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<v Speaker 2>little stick, not thicker than a lead pill, but somewhat longer.

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<v Speaker 2>As you see, this is a magical wand, and is

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<v Speaker 2>covered with inscriptions of the same character as those on

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<v Speaker 2>the outside of the box. The next thing is this

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<v Speaker 2>little red bag, well filled as you see, which I

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<v Speaker 2>shall put on the table, for I shall not yet

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<v Speaker 2>need it. Now I take out a piece of cloth

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<v Speaker 2>which is folded into a very small compass. But as

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<v Speaker 2>I unfold it you will perceive that it is more

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<v Speaker 2>than a foot square and is covered with embroidery. All

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<v Speaker 2>those strange lines and figures in gold and red which

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<v Speaker 2>you can plainly see on the cloth as I hold

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<v Speaker 2>it up, are also characters in the same magic language

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00:15:57.960 --> 00:16:01.360
<v Speaker 2>as those on the box and Wand I will now

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<v Speaker 2>spread the cloth on the table, and then take out

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<v Speaker 2>the only remaining thing in the box. And this is

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<v Speaker 2>nothing in the world but an egg, a simple, ordinary

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<v Speaker 2>hen's egg. As you all see as I hold it up.

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<v Speaker 2>It may be a trifle larger than an ordinary egg,

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00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:26.320
<v Speaker 2>but then after all it is nothing but a common

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00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:31.600
<v Speaker 2>egg that is in appearance. In reality it is a

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<v Speaker 2>good deal more. Now I will begin the performance. And

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<v Speaker 2>as he stood by the back of the table over

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<v Speaker 2>which he had been slightly bending, and threw his eyes

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00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:50.519
<v Speaker 2>over the audience, his voice was stronger, and his face

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00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:54.879
<v Speaker 2>had lost all its pallor. He was evidently warming up

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<v Speaker 2>with his subject. I now take up this wand he said,

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00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:04.960
<v Speaker 2>which while I hold it, gives me power to produce

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<v Speaker 2>the phenomena which you are about to behold. You may

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<v Speaker 2>not all believe that there is any magic whatever about

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00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:16.880
<v Speaker 2>this little performance, and that it is all a bit

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00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:22.720
<v Speaker 2>of machinery. But whatever you may think about it, you

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00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:27.799
<v Speaker 2>shall see what you shall see. Now with this wand

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<v Speaker 2>I gently touch this egg, which is lying on the

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00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:35.319
<v Speaker 2>square of cloth. I do not believe you can see

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00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:38.359
<v Speaker 2>what has happened to this egg, but I will tell you.

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<v Speaker 2>There is a little line like a hair entirely around it.

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00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:48.079
<v Speaker 2>Now that line has become a crack. Now you can

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00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:52.440
<v Speaker 2>see it. I know it grows wider and wider. Look,

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00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:56.559
<v Speaker 2>the shell of the egg is separating. In the middle.

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<v Speaker 2>A whole egg slightly moves. You. Notice that now you

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00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:06.400
<v Speaker 2>can see something yellow showing itself between the two parts

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00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:11.519
<v Speaker 2>of the shell. See, it is moving a good deal,

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00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:14.319
<v Speaker 2>and the two halves of the shell are separating more

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00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:19.400
<v Speaker 2>and more. And now out tumbles this queer little object.

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00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:24.400
<v Speaker 2>Do you see what it is? It is a poor, weak,

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00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:31.680
<v Speaker 2>little chick, not able to stand, but alive, alive. You

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00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:34.359
<v Speaker 2>can all perceive that it is alive. Now you can

248
00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:39.279
<v Speaker 2>see that it is standing on its feet, feebly enough,

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00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:45.680
<v Speaker 2>but still standing. Behold it takes a few steps. You

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00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:49.160
<v Speaker 2>cannot doubt that it is alive and came out of

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00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:53.119
<v Speaker 2>that egg. It is beginning to walk about over the cloth.

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00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:59.039
<v Speaker 2>Do you notice that it is picking the embroidery. Now,

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00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:02.279
<v Speaker 2>a little chick, I will give you something to eat.

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00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:08.599
<v Speaker 2>This little red bag contains grain, a magical grain with

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00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:12.039
<v Speaker 2>which I shall feed the chicken. You must excuse my

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00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:15.440
<v Speaker 2>awkwardness in opening the bag, as I still hold the

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00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:21.279
<v Speaker 2>wand but this little stick I must not drop. See,

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00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:25.759
<v Speaker 2>little chick, there are some grains. They look like rice,

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00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:28.599
<v Speaker 2>but in fact I have no idea what they are.

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00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:32.079
<v Speaker 2>But he knows. He knows. Look at him, See how

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00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:41.400
<v Speaker 2>he picks it up. There he has swallowed one, two, three.

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00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:46.480
<v Speaker 2>That will do little chick for a first meal. The

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00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:50.319
<v Speaker 2>grain seems to have strengthened him already. For see how

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00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:53.319
<v Speaker 2>lively he is, and how his yellow down stands out

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<v Speaker 2>on him, so puffy and warm. You are looking for

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00:19:57.279 --> 00:20:01.400
<v Speaker 2>some more grain, are you well? You cannot have it

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00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:04.960
<v Speaker 2>just yet, And keep away from those pieces of egg shell, which,

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00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:09.480
<v Speaker 2>by the way, I will put back into the box. Now, sir,

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00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:11.839
<v Speaker 2>try to avoid the edge of the table, and to

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00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:14.240
<v Speaker 2>quiet you, I will give you a little tap on

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<v Speaker 2>the back with my Wand now then please observe closely.

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00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:23.279
<v Speaker 2>The down which just now covered him has almost gone.

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00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:28.759
<v Speaker 2>He is really a good deal bigger and ever so

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00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:33.160
<v Speaker 2>much uglier. See the little pin feathers sticking out over him.

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<v Speaker 2>Some spots here and there are almost bare. But he

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00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:40.160
<v Speaker 2>is ever so much more active. Ah, listen to that.

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<v Speaker 2>He is so strong that you can hear his beak

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<v Speaker 2>as he pecks at the table. He is actually growing

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00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:51.359
<v Speaker 2>bigger and bigger before our very eyes. See that funny

280
00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:55.319
<v Speaker 2>little tail, how it begins to stick up, and quills

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00:20:55.319 --> 00:21:00.680
<v Speaker 2>are showing at the end of his wing. Another tap

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00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:05.559
<v Speaker 2>and a few more grains. Careful, sir, don't tear the cloth.

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00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:11.119
<v Speaker 2>See how rapidly he grows. He is fairly covered with

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00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:14.599
<v Speaker 2>feathers red and black, with a tip of yellow in front.

285
00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:19.480
<v Speaker 2>You could hardly get that fellow into an ostrich egg. Now,

286
00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:23.279
<v Speaker 2>then what do you think of him? He's big enough

287
00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:26.279
<v Speaker 2>for a broiler, though I don't think any one would

288
00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:29.640
<v Speaker 2>want to take him for that purpose. Some more grain

289
00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:33.960
<v Speaker 2>and another tap from my Wand see he does not

290
00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:36.279
<v Speaker 2>mind the little stick, for he has been used to

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00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:42.720
<v Speaker 2>it from his very berth. Now then he is what

292
00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:46.200
<v Speaker 2>you would call a good half grown chick, rather more

293
00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:50.160
<v Speaker 2>than half grown, I should say. Do you notice his tail?

294
00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:55.359
<v Speaker 2>There is no mistaking him for a pullet. Long feathers

295
00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:58.559
<v Speaker 2>are beginning to curl over already. He must have a

296
00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:02.279
<v Speaker 2>little more grain. Look out, sir, or you will be

297
00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:07.200
<v Speaker 2>off the table. Come back here. This table is too

298
00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:09.960
<v Speaker 2>small for him. But if he were on the floor

299
00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:14.480
<v Speaker 2>you could not see him so well. Another tap. Now

300
00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:17.599
<v Speaker 2>see that comb on the top of his head. You

301
00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:20.960
<v Speaker 2>scarcely noticed it before, and now it is bright red.

302
00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:24.960
<v Speaker 2>And see his spurs beginning to show on good thick

303
00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:28.839
<v Speaker 2>legs too. There is a fine young fellow for you.

304
00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:32.480
<v Speaker 2>Look how he jerks his head from side to side,

305
00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:36.079
<v Speaker 2>like the young prince of a poultry yard, as he

306
00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:39.880
<v Speaker 2>well deserves to be. The attentive interest which had at

307
00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:44.839
<v Speaker 2>first characterized the audience now changed to excited admiration and amazement.

308
00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:50.319
<v Speaker 2>Some leaned forward with mouths wide open. Others stood up

309
00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:55.119
<v Speaker 2>so that they could see better. Ejaculations of astonishment and

310
00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:58.799
<v Speaker 2>wonder were heard on every side, and a more thoroughly

311
00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:03.799
<v Speaker 2>fascinated and absurd disorbed audience was never seen. Now, my friends,

312
00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:08.160
<v Speaker 2>Lauren continued, I will give this handsome fowl another tap.

313
00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:14.920
<v Speaker 2>Behold the result, a noble, full grown cock. Behold his

314
00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:20.119
<v Speaker 2>spurs they are nearly an inch long. See there is

315
00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:24.480
<v Speaker 2>a comb for you. And what a magnificent tail of

316
00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:29.119
<v Speaker 2>green and black, contrasting so finely with the deep red

317
00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:33.279
<v Speaker 2>of the rest of his body. Well, sir, you are

318
00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:36.640
<v Speaker 2>truly too big for this table. As I cannot give

319
00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:40.920
<v Speaker 2>you more room, I will set you up higher. Move

320
00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:42.960
<v Speaker 2>over a little, and I will set this chair on

321
00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:49.839
<v Speaker 2>the table. There upon the seat that's right, But don't stop.

322
00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:55.720
<v Speaker 2>There's the back which is higher yet up with you

323
00:23:58.200 --> 00:24:00.920
<v Speaker 2>there he nearly upset the chair, but I will hold it.

324
00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:06.720
<v Speaker 2>See he has turned around. Now then look at him.

325
00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:11.599
<v Speaker 2>See his wings as he flaps them. He could fly

326
00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:16.119
<v Speaker 2>with such wings. Look at him, See that swelling breast.

327
00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:22.079
<v Speaker 2>Ha ha. Listen, did you ever hear a crow like that?

328
00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:26.960
<v Speaker 2>It fairly rings through the house? Yes, I knew it.

329
00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:32.160
<v Speaker 2>There is another. At this point, the people in the

330
00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:35.240
<v Speaker 2>house were in a state of wild excitement. Nearly all

331
00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:37.559
<v Speaker 2>of them were on their feet, and they were in

332
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:41.000
<v Speaker 2>such a condition of frantic enthusiasm that Loring was afraid

333
00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:43.839
<v Speaker 2>some of them might make a run for the stage. Come, sir,

334
00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:48.720
<v Speaker 2>cried Loring, now almost shouting, that will do you have

335
00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:52.000
<v Speaker 2>shown us the strength of your lungs. Jump down on

336
00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:54.920
<v Speaker 2>the seat of the chair, now on the table there.

337
00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:57.599
<v Speaker 2>I will take away the chair and you can stand

338
00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.759
<v Speaker 2>for a moment on the table and let our friends

339
00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:03.799
<v Speaker 2>lie look at you, but only for a moment. Take

340
00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:08.880
<v Speaker 2>that tap on your back. Now do you see any difference?

341
00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:15.079
<v Speaker 2>Perhaps you may not, but I do, Yes, I believe

342
00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:18.680
<v Speaker 2>you all do. He is not the big fellow he

343
00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:22.880
<v Speaker 2>was a minute ago. He is really smaller, only a

344
00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:28.000
<v Speaker 2>fine cockrell, a nice tail that, but with none of

345
00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:31.319
<v Speaker 2>the noble sweep that it had a minute ago. No,

346
00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:35.680
<v Speaker 2>don't try to get off the table. You can't escape

347
00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:43.400
<v Speaker 2>my Wand another tap. Behold a half grown chicken, good

348
00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:46.039
<v Speaker 2>to eat, but with not a crow in him. Hungry

349
00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:48.079
<v Speaker 2>are you? But you need not pick at the table

350
00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:51.720
<v Speaker 2>that way You get no more grain, but only this

351
00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:57.000
<v Speaker 2>little tap. Ha ha, what are you coming to? There

352
00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:59.599
<v Speaker 2>is a chicken barely feathered enough for us to tell

353
00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:06.359
<v Speaker 2>what color he is going to be. Another tap will

354
00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:08.960
<v Speaker 2>take still more of the conceit out of him. Look

355
00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:15.200
<v Speaker 2>at him. There are his pin feathers and his bare spots.

356
00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:21.200
<v Speaker 2>Don't try to get away. I can easily tap you again. Now, then,

357
00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:26.720
<v Speaker 2>here's a lovely little chick, fluffy with yellow down. He

358
00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:30.839
<v Speaker 2>is active enough, but I shall quiet him one tap.

359
00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:34.680
<v Speaker 2>And now what do you see? A poor feeble chicken,

360
00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:39.920
<v Speaker 2>scarcely able to stand with his down all packed close

361
00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:44.039
<v Speaker 2>to him as if he had been out in the rain. Ah,

362
00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:47.799
<v Speaker 2>little chick. I will take the two halves of the

363
00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:51.200
<v Speaker 2>eggshell from which you came and put them on each

364
00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:57.079
<v Speaker 2>side of you. Come, now get in I close them up.

365
00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:02.079
<v Speaker 2>You are lost to view. There is nothing to be

366
00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:06.799
<v Speaker 2>seen but a crack around the shell. Now it has gone. There,

367
00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:10.640
<v Speaker 2>my friends, as I hold it on high, behold the

368
00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:15.039
<v Speaker 2>magic egg, exactly as it was when I first took

369
00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:18.400
<v Speaker 2>it out of the box into which I will place

370
00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:21.200
<v Speaker 2>it again with the cloth and the wand and the

371
00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:24.039
<v Speaker 2>little red bag, and shut it up with a snap.

372
00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:27.440
<v Speaker 2>I will let you take one more look at this

373
00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:30.880
<v Speaker 2>box before I put it away behind the scenes. Are

374
00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:35.079
<v Speaker 2>you satisfied with what I have shown you? Do you

375
00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:37.920
<v Speaker 2>think it is really as wonderful as you supposed it

376
00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:41.519
<v Speaker 2>would be. At these words, the whole audience burst into

377
00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:46.640
<v Speaker 2>riotous applause, during which Loring disappeared, But he was back

378
00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:51.599
<v Speaker 2>in a moment. Thank you, he cried, bowing low and

379
00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:53.599
<v Speaker 2>waving his arms before him in the manner of an

380
00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:58.559
<v Speaker 2>Eastern magician, making a salaam from side to side. He turned,

381
00:27:58.880 --> 00:28:02.119
<v Speaker 2>bowing and thanking, and then with a hearty good bye

382
00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:05.759
<v Speaker 2>to you, good bye to you all, he stepped back

383
00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:10.839
<v Speaker 2>and let down the curtain. For some moments, the audience

384
00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:14.359
<v Speaker 2>remained in their seats, as if they were expecting something more,

385
00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:20.119
<v Speaker 2>and then they rose quietly and began to disperse. Most

386
00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:23.279
<v Speaker 2>of them were acquainted with one another, and there was

387
00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:25.799
<v Speaker 2>a good deal of greeting and talking as they went

388
00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:28.720
<v Speaker 2>out of the theater. When Loring was sure the last

389
00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:32.039
<v Speaker 2>person had departed, he turned down the lights, locked the door,

390
00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:34.240
<v Speaker 2>and gave the key to the steward of the club.

391
00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:39.720
<v Speaker 2>He walked to his home a happy man. His exhibition

392
00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:43.839
<v Speaker 2>had been a perfect success, with not a break or

393
00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:47.400
<v Speaker 2>a flaw in it from beginning to end. I feel,

394
00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:50.519
<v Speaker 2>thought the young man as he strode along, as if

395
00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:53.559
<v Speaker 2>I could fly to the top of that steeple and

396
00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:58.039
<v Speaker 2>flap and crow until all the world heard me. That evening,

397
00:28:58.200 --> 00:29:02.119
<v Speaker 2>as was his daily custom, Herbert Loring called upon miss Starr.

398
00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:06.480
<v Speaker 2>He found the young lady in the library. I came

399
00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:09.039
<v Speaker 2>in here, she said, because I have a good deal

400
00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:11.240
<v Speaker 2>to talk to you about, and I do not want

401
00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:15.440
<v Speaker 2>interruption with this arrangement. The young man expressed his entire

402
00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:19.160
<v Speaker 2>satisfaction and immediately began to inquire the cause of her

403
00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:23.200
<v Speaker 2>absence from his exhibition in the afternoon. But I was there,

404
00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:27.319
<v Speaker 2>said Edith. You did not see me, But I was there.

405
00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:32.119
<v Speaker 2>Mother had a headache and I went by myself. You

406
00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:37.599
<v Speaker 2>were there, exclaimed Loring, almost starting from his chair. I

407
00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:44.920
<v Speaker 2>don't understand you were not in your seat, no, answered Edith.

408
00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:48.559
<v Speaker 2>I was on the very back row of seats. You

409
00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:52.319
<v Speaker 2>could not see me, and I did not wish you

410
00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:57.000
<v Speaker 2>to see me, Edith, exclaimed Loring, rising to his feet

411
00:29:57.039 --> 00:30:00.359
<v Speaker 2>and leaning over the library table, which was between them.

412
00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:05.960
<v Speaker 2>When did you come? How much of the performance did

413
00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:09.279
<v Speaker 2>you see? I was late, she said, I did not

414
00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:13.480
<v Speaker 2>arrive until after the fireworks or whatever they were. For

415
00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:15.799
<v Speaker 2>a moment, Loring was silent, as if he did not

416
00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:20.799
<v Speaker 2>understand the situation. Fireworks, he said, how did you know

417
00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:23.960
<v Speaker 2>there had been fireworks. I heard the people talking of

418
00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:27.279
<v Speaker 2>them as they left the theater, she answered. And what

419
00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:31.079
<v Speaker 2>did they say, he inquired quickly. They seemed to like

420
00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:34.880
<v Speaker 2>them very well, she replied, But I do not think

421
00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:39.599
<v Speaker 2>they were quite satisfied from what I heard some person say.

422
00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:42.960
<v Speaker 2>I inferred that they thought it was not very much

423
00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:46.400
<v Speaker 2>of a show to which you had invited them. Again,

424
00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:49.920
<v Speaker 2>Loring stood and thought, looking down at the table. But

425
00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:52.880
<v Speaker 2>before he could speak again, Edith sprang to her feet,

426
00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:57.279
<v Speaker 2>Herbert Loring, She cried, what does all this mean? I

427
00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:59.400
<v Speaker 2>was there during the whole of the exhibition of what

428
00:30:59.400 --> 00:31:02.839
<v Speaker 2>you called them egg. I saw all those people wild

429
00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:05.319
<v Speaker 2>with excitement at the wonderful sight of the chicken that

430
00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:07.200
<v Speaker 2>came out of the egg and grew to full size,

431
00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:09.519
<v Speaker 2>and then dwindled down again and went back into the egg.

432
00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:13.559
<v Speaker 2>And Herbert, there was no egg, and there was no

433
00:31:13.640 --> 00:31:16.480
<v Speaker 2>little box, and there was no wand and no embroidered cloth,

434
00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:21.079
<v Speaker 2>and there was no red bag, nor any little chick,

435
00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:23.880
<v Speaker 2>and there was no full grown fowl, and there was

436
00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:26.799
<v Speaker 2>no chair that you put on the table. There was nothing,

437
00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:31.960
<v Speaker 2>absolutely nothing but you and that table. Even the table

438
00:31:32.359 --> 00:31:35.319
<v Speaker 2>was not what you said it was. It was not

439
00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:40.519
<v Speaker 2>an unpainted pine table with four straight legs. It was

440
00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:43.759
<v Speaker 2>a table of dark polished wood, and it stood on

441
00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:48.720
<v Speaker 2>a single post with feet. There was nothing there that

442
00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:54.279
<v Speaker 2>you said was there. Everything was a sham and a delusion.

443
00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:59.160
<v Speaker 2>Every word you spoke was untrue. And yet everybody in

444
00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:03.640
<v Speaker 2>that theater, excepting you and me, saw all the things

445
00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:06.559
<v Speaker 2>that you said were on the stage. I know they

446
00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:09.240
<v Speaker 2>saw them all, for I was with the people and

447
00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:13.240
<v Speaker 2>heard them and saw them, and at times I fairly

448
00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:16.880
<v Speaker 2>felt the thrill of enthusiasm which possessed them as they

449
00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:21.039
<v Speaker 2>glared at the miracles and wonders you said were happening.

450
00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:29.079
<v Speaker 2>Mooring smiled, Sit down, my dear Edith, he said, you

451
00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:32.359
<v Speaker 2>are excited, and there is not the slightest cause for it.

452
00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:37.559
<v Speaker 2>I will explain the whole affair to you. It is

453
00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:41.400
<v Speaker 2>simple enough. You know that study is the great object

454
00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:45.720
<v Speaker 2>of my life. I study all sorts of things, and

455
00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:51.839
<v Speaker 2>just now I am greatly interested in hypnotism. The subject

456
00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:56.359
<v Speaker 2>has become fascinating to me. I have made a great

457
00:32:56.440 --> 00:33:00.039
<v Speaker 2>many successful trials of my power, and the affe a

458
00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:02.519
<v Speaker 2>fair of this afternoon was nothing but a trial of

459
00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:05.519
<v Speaker 2>my powers on a more extensive scale. Than anything I

460
00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:09.279
<v Speaker 2>have yet attempted. I wanted to see if it were

461
00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:12.839
<v Speaker 2>possible for me to hypnotize a considerable number of people

462
00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:18.200
<v Speaker 2>without anyone suspecting what I intended to do. The result

463
00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:22.519
<v Speaker 2>was a success. I hypnotized all those people by means

464
00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:26.559
<v Speaker 2>of the first part of my performance, which consisted of

465
00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:30.400
<v Speaker 2>some combinations of colored glass with lights thrown upon them.

466
00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:37.640
<v Speaker 2>They revolved and looked like fireworks and were strung on

467
00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:41.720
<v Speaker 2>a wire high up on the stage. Kept up the

468
00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:45.039
<v Speaker 2>glittering and dazzling show, which was well worth seeing, I

469
00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:48.680
<v Speaker 2>can assure you. Until the people had been straining their

470
00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:52.759
<v Speaker 2>eyes upward for almost half an hour. And this sort

471
00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:55.240
<v Speaker 2>of thing, I will tell you if you do not

472
00:33:55.359 --> 00:34:00.599
<v Speaker 2>know it is one of the methods of producing hypno sleep.

473
00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:04.359
<v Speaker 2>There was no one present who was not an impressionable subject.

474
00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:09.039
<v Speaker 2>For I was very careful in sending out my invitations,

475
00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:13.280
<v Speaker 2>and when I became almost certain that my audience was

476
00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:21.159
<v Speaker 2>thoroughly hypnotized, I stopped the show and began the real exhibition,

477
00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:25.679
<v Speaker 2>which was not really for their benefit but for mine.

478
00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:28.239
<v Speaker 2>Of course, I was dreadfully anxious, for fear I had

479
00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:30.960
<v Speaker 2>not succeeded entirely, and that there might be at least

480
00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:34.280
<v Speaker 2>some one person who had not succumbed to the hypnotic influences,

481
00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:37.280
<v Speaker 2>And so I tested the matter by bringing out that

482
00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:39.840
<v Speaker 2>table and telling them it was something it was not.

483
00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:43.440
<v Speaker 2>If I had had any reason for supposing that some

484
00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:46.039
<v Speaker 2>of the audience saw the table as it really was,

485
00:34:46.760 --> 00:34:50.840
<v Speaker 2>I had an explanation ready, and I could have retired

486
00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:55.519
<v Speaker 2>from my position without anyone supposing that I had intended

487
00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:59.559
<v Speaker 2>making hypnotic experiment. The rest of the exhibition would have

488
00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:02.880
<v Speaker 2>been some things that anyone could see, and as soon

489
00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:06.559
<v Speaker 2>as possible, I would have released from their spell those

490
00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:12.400
<v Speaker 2>who were hypnotized. But when I became positively assured that

491
00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:16.599
<v Speaker 2>everyone saw a light pine table with four straight legs,

492
00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:20.599
<v Speaker 2>I confidently went on with the performances of the Magic egg.

493
00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:25.400
<v Speaker 2>Edith's star was still standing by the library table. She

494
00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:28.679
<v Speaker 2>had not heeded Loring's advice to sit down, and she

495
00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:34.119
<v Speaker 2>was trembling with emotion. Herbert Loring, she said, you invited

496
00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:37.079
<v Speaker 2>my mother and me to that exhibition. You gave us

497
00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:40.239
<v Speaker 2>tickets for front seats where we would be certain to

498
00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:44.320
<v Speaker 2>be hypnotized if your experiment succeeded, and you would have

499
00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:47.880
<v Speaker 2>made us see that false show, which faded from those

500
00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:50.760
<v Speaker 2>people's minds as soon as they recovered from the spell.

501
00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:53.800
<v Speaker 2>For as they went away, they were talking only of

502
00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:57.480
<v Speaker 2>the fireworks, and not one of them mentioned a magic egg,

503
00:35:57.760 --> 00:36:01.960
<v Speaker 2>or a chicken or anything of the kind. And answer

504
00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:04.679
<v Speaker 2>me this, Did you not intend that I should come

505
00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:11.159
<v Speaker 2>and be put under that spell? Loring smiled, Yes, he said,

506
00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:14.760
<v Speaker 2>of course I did. But then your case would have

507
00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:18.800
<v Speaker 2>been different from that of the other spectators. I should

508
00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:21.960
<v Speaker 2>have explained the whole thing to you, and I am

509
00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:24.440
<v Speaker 2>sure we would have had a great deal of pleasure

510
00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:29.719
<v Speaker 2>and profit too in discussing your experiences. The subject is

511
00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:34.239
<v Speaker 2>extremely explain to me, she cried, You would not have

512
00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:37.360
<v Speaker 2>dared to do it. I do not know how brave

513
00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:39.519
<v Speaker 2>you may be, but I know you would not have

514
00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:41.760
<v Speaker 2>had the courage to come here and tell me that

515
00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:44.880
<v Speaker 2>you had taken away my reason and my judgment as

516
00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:47.119
<v Speaker 2>you took them away from all those people, and that

517
00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:49.159
<v Speaker 2>you had made me a mere tool of your will,

518
00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:52.920
<v Speaker 2>glaring and panting with excitement at the wonderful things you

519
00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:56.519
<v Speaker 2>told me to see where nothing existed. I have nothing

520
00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:59.840
<v Speaker 2>to say about the others. They can speak for themselves.

521
00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:02.360
<v Speaker 2>They ever come to know what you did to them.

522
00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:06.199
<v Speaker 2>I speak for myself. I stood up with the rest

523
00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:09.920
<v Speaker 2>of the people. I gazed with all my power, and

524
00:37:10.119 --> 00:37:13.079
<v Speaker 2>over and over again, I asked myself if it could

525
00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:15.880
<v Speaker 2>be possible that anything was the matter with my eyes

526
00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:18.519
<v Speaker 2>or my brain, and if I could be the only

527
00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:21.679
<v Speaker 2>person there who could not see the marvelous spectacle that

528
00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:26.159
<v Speaker 2>you were describing. But now I know that nothing was real,

529
00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:30.599
<v Speaker 2>not even the little pine table, not even the man,

530
00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:38.480
<v Speaker 2>even me, exclaimed Loring. Surely I was real enough on

531
00:37:38.599 --> 00:37:43.119
<v Speaker 2>that stage, yes, she said, But you there proved you

532
00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:46.519
<v Speaker 2>were not the Herbert Loring to whom I promised myself

533
00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:51.880
<v Speaker 2>he was an unreal being. If he had existed, he

534
00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:55.119
<v Speaker 2>would not have been a man who would have brought

535
00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:59.400
<v Speaker 2>me to that public place, all ignorant of his intentions

536
00:38:00.199 --> 00:38:05.079
<v Speaker 2>to cloud my perceptions, to subject my intellect to his

537
00:38:05.199 --> 00:38:09.840
<v Speaker 2>own and make me believe a lie. If a man

538
00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:12.440
<v Speaker 2>should treat me in that way once, he would treat

539
00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:16.519
<v Speaker 2>me so at other times and in other ways, if

540
00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:20.920
<v Speaker 2>he had the chance. You have treated me in the

541
00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:24.360
<v Speaker 2>past as to day you treated those people who glared

542
00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:27.800
<v Speaker 2>at the magic egg. In the days gone by, you

543
00:38:27.920 --> 00:38:30.880
<v Speaker 2>made me see an unreal man. But you will never

544
00:38:31.119 --> 00:38:36.679
<v Speaker 2>do it again. Good Bye. Edith, cried Loring, you don't.

545
00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:40.320
<v Speaker 2>But she had disappeared through a side door, and he

546
00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:44.039
<v Speaker 2>never spoke to her again. Walking home through the dimly

547
00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:49.199
<v Speaker 2>lighted streets, Loring involuntarily spoke aloud, and this, he said,

548
00:38:49.880 --> 00:39:15.400
<v Speaker 2>is what came out of the magic egg. The magic egg.

549
00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:19.920
<v Speaker 2>The pretty little theater attached to the building of the

550
00:39:20.119 --> 00:39:24.559
<v Speaker 2>Unicorn Club had been hired for a certain January afternoon

551
00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:28.239
<v Speaker 2>by mister Herbert Loring, who wished to give therein a

552
00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:32.480
<v Speaker 2>somewhat novel performance to which he had invited a small

553
00:39:32.519 --> 00:39:39.760
<v Speaker 2>audience consisting entirely of friends and acquaintances. Loring was a

554
00:39:39.760 --> 00:39:43.320
<v Speaker 2>handsome fellow about thirty years old, who had traveled far

555
00:39:43.480 --> 00:39:47.440
<v Speaker 2>and studied much. He had recently made a long sojourn

556
00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:50.119
<v Speaker 2>in the Far East, and his friends had been invited

557
00:39:50.159 --> 00:39:52.639
<v Speaker 2>to the theater to see some of the wonderful things

558
00:39:52.639 --> 00:39:56.159
<v Speaker 2>he had brought from that country of wonders. As Loring

559
00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:58.960
<v Speaker 2>was a club man and belonged to a family of

560
00:39:59.039 --> 00:40:03.039
<v Speaker 2>good social stands, his circle of acquaintances was large, and

561
00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:06.800
<v Speaker 2>in this circle a good many unpleasant remarks had been

562
00:40:06.840 --> 00:40:10.840
<v Speaker 2>made regarding the proposed entertainment. Made, of course, by the

563
00:40:10.840 --> 00:40:15.519
<v Speaker 2>people who had not been invited to be present. Some

564
00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:19.000
<v Speaker 2>of the gossip on the subject had reached Loring, who

565
00:40:19.000 --> 00:40:21.239
<v Speaker 2>did not hesitate to say that he could not talk

566
00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:24.440
<v Speaker 2>to a crowd, and that he did not care to

567
00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:27.320
<v Speaker 2>show the curious things he had collected to people who

568
00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:32.719
<v Speaker 2>would not thoroughly appreciate them. He had been very particular

569
00:40:32.760 --> 00:40:37.639
<v Speaker 2>in regard to his invitations. At three o'clock on the

570
00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:41.239
<v Speaker 2>appointed afternoon, nearly all the people who had been invited

571
00:40:41.280 --> 00:40:45.679
<v Speaker 2>to the Unicorn Theater were in their seats. No one

572
00:40:45.760 --> 00:40:49.599
<v Speaker 2>had stayed away except for some very good reason, For

573
00:40:49.679 --> 00:40:53.039
<v Speaker 2>it was well known that if Herbert Loring offered to

574
00:40:53.079 --> 00:40:59.280
<v Speaker 2>show anything, it was worth seeing. About forty people were present,

575
00:40:59.320 --> 00:41:01.840
<v Speaker 2>who sat talk looking to one another, or admiring the

576
00:41:01.880 --> 00:41:07.119
<v Speaker 2>decoration of the theater. As Loring stood upon the stage,

577
00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:12.480
<v Speaker 2>where he was entirely alone, his exhibition requiring no assistance,

578
00:41:14.199 --> 00:41:16.760
<v Speaker 2>he gazed through a loophole in the curtain upon a

579
00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:21.039
<v Speaker 2>very interesting array of faces. There were the faces of

580
00:41:21.159 --> 00:41:26.000
<v Speaker 2>many men and women of society, of students, of workers

581
00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:30.280
<v Speaker 2>in various fields of thought, and even of idlers in

582
00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:34.280
<v Speaker 2>all fields of thought. But there was not one which

583
00:41:34.360 --> 00:41:40.000
<v Speaker 2>indicated a frivolous or listless disposition. The owners of those

584
00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:44.280
<v Speaker 2>faces had come to see something, and they wished to

585
00:41:44.320 --> 00:41:48.480
<v Speaker 2>see it. For a quarter of an hour after the

586
00:41:48.559 --> 00:41:52.679
<v Speaker 2>time announced for the opening of the exhibition, Loring peered

587
00:41:52.679 --> 00:41:57.400
<v Speaker 2>through the hole in the curtain, and then, although all

588
00:41:57.440 --> 00:42:01.559
<v Speaker 2>the people he had expected had not arrived, he felt

589
00:42:01.599 --> 00:42:04.000
<v Speaker 2>it would not do for him to wait any longer.

590
00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:08.039
<v Speaker 2>The audience was composed of well bred and courteous men

591
00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:11.599
<v Speaker 2>and women, but despite their polite self restraint, Loring could

592
00:42:11.599 --> 00:42:14.000
<v Speaker 2>see that some of them were getting tired of waiting

593
00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:18.480
<v Speaker 2>so very reluctantly, and feeling that further delay was impossible,

594
00:42:19.119 --> 00:42:24.519
<v Speaker 2>he raised the curtain and came forward on the stage. Briefly,

595
00:42:24.559 --> 00:42:27.679
<v Speaker 2>he announced that the exhibition would open with some fireworks

596
00:42:27.679 --> 00:42:30.840
<v Speaker 2>he had brought from Korea. It was plain to see

597
00:42:30.840 --> 00:42:33.360
<v Speaker 2>that the statement that fireworks were about to be set

598
00:42:33.360 --> 00:42:36.360
<v Speaker 2>off on a theater stage by an amateur had rather

599
00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:39.840
<v Speaker 2>startled some of the audience, and Loring hastened to explain

600
00:42:39.920 --> 00:42:42.679
<v Speaker 2>that these were not real fireworks, but that they were

601
00:42:42.719 --> 00:42:46.679
<v Speaker 2>contrivances made of colored glass, which were illuminated by the

602
00:42:46.719 --> 00:42:50.079
<v Speaker 2>powerful lens of a lantern which was placed out of sight.

603
00:42:51.400 --> 00:42:55.159
<v Speaker 2>And while the apparent pyrotechnic display would resemble fireworks of

604
00:42:55.280 --> 00:42:59.159
<v Speaker 2>strange and grotesque design. It would be absolutely without danger.

605
00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:03.039
<v Speaker 2>He brought out some little bunches of bits of colored glass,

606
00:43:03.519 --> 00:43:05.920
<v Speaker 2>hung them at some distance apart on a wire which

607
00:43:05.960 --> 00:43:08.599
<v Speaker 2>was stretched across the stage, just high enough for him

608
00:43:08.599 --> 00:43:12.519
<v Speaker 2>to reach it, and then lighted his lantern, which he

609
00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:16.079
<v Speaker 2>placed in one of the wings, lowered all the lights

610
00:43:16.119 --> 00:43:21.400
<v Speaker 2>in the theater, and began his exhibition. As Luring turned

611
00:43:21.440 --> 00:43:24.360
<v Speaker 2>his lantern on one of the clusters of glass lenses,

612
00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:29.960
<v Speaker 2>strips and points, and Unseen himself, caused them to move

613
00:43:30.079 --> 00:43:34.039
<v Speaker 2>by means of long cords attached. The effects were beautiful

614
00:43:34.360 --> 00:43:41.199
<v Speaker 2>and marvelous. Little wheels of colored fire rapidly revolved, miniature

615
00:43:41.320 --> 00:43:45.079
<v Speaker 2>rockets appeared to rise a few feet and to explode

616
00:43:45.079 --> 00:43:49.519
<v Speaker 2>in the air. And while all the ordinary forms of

617
00:43:49.599 --> 00:43:54.239
<v Speaker 2>fireworks were produced on a diminutive scale, there were some

618
00:43:54.280 --> 00:43:58.039
<v Speaker 2>effects that were entirely novel to the audience. As the

619
00:43:58.119 --> 00:44:00.920
<v Speaker 2>light was turned successively upon one and another of the

620
00:44:00.920 --> 00:44:04.440
<v Speaker 2>clusters of glass, sometimes it would flash along the whole

621
00:44:04.440 --> 00:44:07.880
<v Speaker 2>line so rapidly that all the various combinations of color

622
00:44:07.920 --> 00:44:11.239
<v Speaker 2>and motion seemed to be combined in one and then

623
00:44:11.400 --> 00:44:15.639
<v Speaker 2>for a time, each particular set of fireworks would blaze, sparkle,

624
00:44:15.719 --> 00:44:20.320
<v Speaker 2>and chorus gait by itself, scattering particles of colored light

625
00:44:21.119 --> 00:44:25.280
<v Speaker 2>as if they had been real sparks of fire. This

626
00:44:25.480 --> 00:44:31.199
<v Speaker 2>curious and beautiful exhibition of miniature pyrotechnics was extremely interesting

627
00:44:31.280 --> 00:44:34.840
<v Speaker 2>to the audience, who gazed upward with rapt and eager

628
00:44:34.880 --> 00:44:39.519
<v Speaker 2>attention at the line of wheels, stars, and revolving spheres.

629
00:44:40.840 --> 00:44:44.920
<v Speaker 2>So far as interest gave evidence of satisfaction, there was

630
00:44:45.039 --> 00:44:48.880
<v Speaker 2>never a better satisfied audience. At first, there had been

631
00:44:48.920 --> 00:44:53.320
<v Speaker 2>some hushed murmurs of pleasure, but very soon the attention

632
00:44:53.440 --> 00:44:56.880
<v Speaker 2>of everyone seemed so completely engrossed by the dazzling display

633
00:44:57.159 --> 00:45:02.400
<v Speaker 2>that they simply gazed in silence. For twenty minutes or longer.

634
00:45:02.519 --> 00:45:05.159
<v Speaker 2>The glittering show went on, and not a sign of

635
00:45:05.199 --> 00:45:08.559
<v Speaker 2>weariness or inattention was made by any one of the

636
00:45:08.599 --> 00:45:13.760
<v Speaker 2>assembled company. Then, gradually the colors of the little fireworks faded,

637
00:45:14.480 --> 00:45:18.119
<v Speaker 2>the stars and wheels revolved more slowly, the lights in

638
00:45:18.159 --> 00:45:21.360
<v Speaker 2>the body of the theater were gradually raised, and the

639
00:45:21.400 --> 00:45:26.079
<v Speaker 2>stage curtain went softly down anxiously, and a little pale

640
00:45:26.280 --> 00:45:30.760
<v Speaker 2>Herbert Loring peered through the loophole in the curtain. It

641
00:45:30.880 --> 00:45:33.880
<v Speaker 2>was not easy to judge of the effects of his exhibition,

642
00:45:34.840 --> 00:45:36.800
<v Speaker 2>and he did not know whether or not it had

643
00:45:36.840 --> 00:45:42.599
<v Speaker 2>been a success. There was no applause, but on the

644
00:45:42.639 --> 00:45:45.440
<v Speaker 2>other hand, there was no signs that any one resented

645
00:45:45.440 --> 00:45:51.000
<v Speaker 2>the exhibition as a childish display of colored lights. It

646
00:45:51.039 --> 00:45:54.159
<v Speaker 2>was impossible to look upon that audience without believing that

647
00:45:54.199 --> 00:45:56.800
<v Speaker 2>they had been thoroughly interested in what they had seen,

648
00:45:57.480 --> 00:46:01.800
<v Speaker 2>and that they expected to see more. For two or

649
00:46:01.840 --> 00:46:05.760
<v Speaker 2>three minutes, Loring gazed through his loophole, and then, still

650
00:46:05.840 --> 00:46:07.920
<v Speaker 2>with some doubt in his heart, but with a little

651
00:46:07.920 --> 00:46:11.079
<v Speaker 2>more color in his checks, he prepared for the second

652
00:46:11.159 --> 00:46:14.760
<v Speaker 2>part of his performance. At this moment, there entered the

653
00:46:14.760 --> 00:46:18.679
<v Speaker 2>theater at the very back of the house a young lady.

654
00:46:20.920 --> 00:46:25.679
<v Speaker 2>She was handsome and well dressed, and as she opened

655
00:46:25.719 --> 00:46:30.800
<v Speaker 2>the door Loring had employed no ushers or other assistance

656
00:46:30.880 --> 00:46:35.320
<v Speaker 2>in this little social performance. She paused for a moment

657
00:46:36.360 --> 00:46:40.599
<v Speaker 2>and looked into the theater, and then noiselessly stepped to

658
00:46:40.639 --> 00:46:43.719
<v Speaker 2>a chair in the back row and sat down. This

659
00:46:43.960 --> 00:46:48.400
<v Speaker 2>was Edith's Starr, who a month before had been betrothed

660
00:46:48.400 --> 00:46:53.239
<v Speaker 2>to Herbert Loring. Edith and her mother had been invited

661
00:46:53.280 --> 00:46:57.639
<v Speaker 2>to this performance, and front seats had been reserved for them.

662
00:46:58.920 --> 00:47:02.360
<v Speaker 2>For each guest had reached received a numbered card. But

663
00:47:02.440 --> 00:47:04.679
<v Speaker 2>missus Starr had a headache and could not go out

664
00:47:04.719 --> 00:47:08.039
<v Speaker 2>that afternoon, and for a time her daughter had thought

665
00:47:08.079 --> 00:47:11.000
<v Speaker 2>that she too must give up the pleasure Loring had

666
00:47:11.079 --> 00:47:15.320
<v Speaker 2>promised her and stay with her mother. But when the

667
00:47:15.360 --> 00:47:21.000
<v Speaker 2>elder lady dropped into a quiet sleep, Edith thought that

668
00:47:21.840 --> 00:47:26.559
<v Speaker 2>late as it was, she would go by herself and

669
00:47:26.679 --> 00:47:31.280
<v Speaker 2>see what she could of the performance. She was quite

670
00:47:31.320 --> 00:47:33.719
<v Speaker 2>certain that if her presence were known to Loring, he

671
00:47:33.760 --> 00:47:36.320
<v Speaker 2>would stop whatever he was doing until she had been

672
00:47:36.360 --> 00:47:39.559
<v Speaker 2>provided with a seat which he thought suitable for her,

673
00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:42.599
<v Speaker 2>for he had made a point of her being properly

674
00:47:42.679 --> 00:47:47.519
<v Speaker 2>seated when he gave the invitations. Therefore, being equally desirous

675
00:47:47.559 --> 00:47:51.840
<v Speaker 2>of not disturbing the performance and of not being herself conspicuous,

676
00:47:52.599 --> 00:47:56.480
<v Speaker 2>she sat behind two rather large men, where she could

677
00:47:56.480 --> 00:47:59.760
<v Speaker 2>see the stage perfectly well, but where she herself would

678
00:47:59.800 --> 00:48:04.199
<v Speaker 2>not be likely to be seen. In a few moments,

679
00:48:04.239 --> 00:48:08.440
<v Speaker 2>the curtain rose and Loring came forward carrying a small

680
00:48:08.559 --> 00:48:11.880
<v Speaker 2>light table, which he placed near the front of the stage,

681
00:48:12.960 --> 00:48:17.840
<v Speaker 2>and for a moment stood quietly by it, Edith noticed

682
00:48:17.920 --> 00:48:21.599
<v Speaker 2>upon his face the expression of uncertainty and anxiety which

683
00:48:21.639 --> 00:48:24.639
<v Speaker 2>had not yet left it. Standing by the side of

684
00:48:24.679 --> 00:48:29.559
<v Speaker 2>the table and speaking very slowly but so clearly that

685
00:48:29.639 --> 00:48:32.519
<v Speaker 2>his words could be heard distinctly in all parts of

686
00:48:32.559 --> 00:48:38.719
<v Speaker 2>the room, he began some introductory remarks regarding the second

687
00:48:38.800 --> 00:48:42.920
<v Speaker 2>part of his performance. The extraordinary and I may say

688
00:48:43.000 --> 00:48:46.159
<v Speaker 2>marvelous thing which I am about to show you, he said,

689
00:48:46.880 --> 00:48:50.079
<v Speaker 2>is known among East Indian magicians as the magic egg.

690
00:48:51.719 --> 00:48:54.760
<v Speaker 2>The exhibition is a very uncommon one and has seldom

691
00:48:54.800 --> 00:48:58.400
<v Speaker 2>been seen by Americans or Europeans. And it was by

692
00:48:58.400 --> 00:49:00.960
<v Speaker 2>a piece of rare good fortune that I became possessed

693
00:49:00.960 --> 00:49:05.480
<v Speaker 2>of the appliances necessary for this exhibition. They are indeed

694
00:49:05.599 --> 00:49:08.679
<v Speaker 2>very few and simple, but never before, to the best

695
00:49:08.719 --> 00:49:11.960
<v Speaker 2>of my knowledge and belief, have they been seen outside

696
00:49:11.960 --> 00:49:16.440
<v Speaker 2>of India. I will now get the little box which

697
00:49:16.480 --> 00:49:21.199
<v Speaker 2>contains the articles necessary for this magical performance. And I

698
00:49:21.239 --> 00:49:23.800
<v Speaker 2>will say that if I had time to tell you

699
00:49:23.840 --> 00:49:27.760
<v Speaker 2>of this strange and amazing adventure which resulted in my

700
00:49:27.880 --> 00:49:30.760
<v Speaker 2>possession of this box, I am sure you would be

701
00:49:30.840 --> 00:49:33.840
<v Speaker 2>as much interested in that as I expect you to

702
00:49:33.920 --> 00:49:36.800
<v Speaker 2>be in the contents of the box. But in order

703
00:49:36.800 --> 00:49:39.199
<v Speaker 2>that none of you may think this is an ordinary

704
00:49:39.280 --> 00:49:45.559
<v Speaker 2>trick executed by means of concealed traps or doors. I

705
00:49:45.599 --> 00:49:50.039
<v Speaker 2>wish you to take particular notice of this table, which is,

706
00:49:50.119 --> 00:49:56.320
<v Speaker 2>as you see, a plain, unpainted pine table, with nothing

707
00:49:56.400 --> 00:50:00.800
<v Speaker 2>but a flat top and four straight legs at the corners.

708
00:50:01.559 --> 00:50:04.440
<v Speaker 2>You can see under and around it, and it gives

709
00:50:04.519 --> 00:50:11.519
<v Speaker 2>no opportunity to conceal anything. Then, standing for a few moments,

710
00:50:11.920 --> 00:50:15.400
<v Speaker 2>as if he had something else to say, he turned

711
00:50:16.159 --> 00:50:19.719
<v Speaker 2>and stepped toward one of the wings. Edith was troubled

712
00:50:19.719 --> 00:50:22.920
<v Speaker 2>as she looked at her lover during these remarks. Her

713
00:50:22.960 --> 00:50:26.400
<v Speaker 2>interest was great, greater indeed than that of the people

714
00:50:26.400 --> 00:50:31.639
<v Speaker 2>about her, but it was not a pleasant interest. As

715
00:50:31.719 --> 00:50:34.599
<v Speaker 2>Loring stopped speaking and looked about him, there was a

716
00:50:34.639 --> 00:50:38.920
<v Speaker 2>momentary flush on his face. She knew this was caused

717
00:50:38.920 --> 00:50:42.360
<v Speaker 2>by excitement, and she was pale from the same cause.

718
00:50:43.000 --> 00:50:45.559
<v Speaker 2>Very soon Loring came forward and stood by the table.

719
00:50:46.440 --> 00:50:49.159
<v Speaker 2>Here is the box, he said, of which I spoke,

720
00:50:49.639 --> 00:50:51.639
<v Speaker 2>and as I hold it up, I think you all

721
00:50:51.760 --> 00:50:55.639
<v Speaker 2>can see it. It is not large, being certainly not

722
00:50:55.760 --> 00:50:59.440
<v Speaker 2>more than twelve inches in length and too deep, but

723
00:50:59.519 --> 00:51:04.800
<v Speaker 2>it can take pains some very wonderful things. The outside

724
00:51:04.800 --> 00:51:08.559
<v Speaker 2>of this box is covered with delicate engraving and carving

725
00:51:08.679 --> 00:51:12.559
<v Speaker 2>which you cannot see. And these marks and lines have

726
00:51:13.159 --> 00:51:17.480
<v Speaker 2>I think some magical meaning, but I do not know

727
00:51:17.519 --> 00:51:22.400
<v Speaker 2>what it is. I will now open the box and

728
00:51:22.519 --> 00:51:25.519
<v Speaker 2>show you what is inside. The first thing I take

729
00:51:25.559 --> 00:51:30.199
<v Speaker 2>out is this little stick, not thicker than a lead pill,

730
00:51:30.320 --> 00:51:35.480
<v Speaker 2>but somewhat longer. As you see, this is a magical wand,

731
00:51:36.280 --> 00:51:39.360
<v Speaker 2>and is covered with inscriptions of the same character as

732
00:51:39.400 --> 00:51:43.039
<v Speaker 2>those on the outside of the box. The next thing

733
00:51:43.239 --> 00:51:47.119
<v Speaker 2>is this little red bag, well filled as you see,

734
00:51:47.679 --> 00:51:49.880
<v Speaker 2>which I shall put on the table, for I shall

735
00:51:49.880 --> 00:51:54.320
<v Speaker 2>not yet need it. Now I take out a piece

736
00:51:54.360 --> 00:51:57.440
<v Speaker 2>of cloth which is folded into a very small compass.

737
00:51:57.920 --> 00:52:00.440
<v Speaker 2>But as I unfold it you will proceed that it

738
00:52:00.519 --> 00:52:04.159
<v Speaker 2>is more than a foot square, and is covered with embroidery.

739
00:52:06.079 --> 00:52:09.159
<v Speaker 2>All those strange lines and figures in gold and red,

740
00:52:09.960 --> 00:52:12.000
<v Speaker 2>which you can plainly see on the cloth as I

741
00:52:12.039 --> 00:52:15.840
<v Speaker 2>hold it up, are also characters in the same magic

742
00:52:15.920 --> 00:52:19.440
<v Speaker 2>language as those on the box and wand. I will

743
00:52:19.480 --> 00:52:24.119
<v Speaker 2>now spread the cloth on the table and then take

744
00:52:24.159 --> 00:52:28.400
<v Speaker 2>out the only remaining thing in the box. And this

745
00:52:28.599 --> 00:52:33.039
<v Speaker 2>is nothing in the world but an egg, a simple

746
00:52:33.679 --> 00:52:37.119
<v Speaker 2>ordinary hen's egg. As you all see as I hold

747
00:52:37.159 --> 00:52:40.679
<v Speaker 2>it up, it may be a trifle larger than an

748
00:52:40.760 --> 00:52:44.159
<v Speaker 2>ordinary egg, But then, after all it is nothing but

749
00:52:44.239 --> 00:52:49.760
<v Speaker 2>a common egg that is in appearance. In reality it

750
00:52:49.840 --> 00:52:56.960
<v Speaker 2>is a good deal more. Now I will begin the performance.

751
00:52:58.280 --> 00:53:00.440
<v Speaker 2>And as he stood by the back of the table

752
00:53:00.760 --> 00:53:03.800
<v Speaker 2>over which he had been slightly bending, and threw his

753
00:53:03.880 --> 00:53:08.599
<v Speaker 2>eyes over the audience, his voice was stronger, and his

754
00:53:08.679 --> 00:53:13.119
<v Speaker 2>face had lost all its pallor. He was evidently warming

755
00:53:13.199 --> 00:53:16.480
<v Speaker 2>up with his subject. I now take up this wand

756
00:53:16.880 --> 00:53:22.719
<v Speaker 2>he said, which while I hold it, gives me power

757
00:53:22.800 --> 00:53:26.000
<v Speaker 2>to produce the phenomena which you are about to behold.

758
00:53:27.920 --> 00:53:30.360
<v Speaker 2>You may not all believe that there is any magic

759
00:53:30.400 --> 00:53:35.000
<v Speaker 2>whatever about this little performance, and that it is all

760
00:53:35.039 --> 00:53:39.639
<v Speaker 2>a bit of machinery. But whatever you may think about it,

761
00:53:41.079 --> 00:53:45.679
<v Speaker 2>you shall see what you shall see now with this

762
00:53:45.880 --> 00:53:49.719
<v Speaker 2>wand I gently touched this egg, which is lying on

763
00:53:49.760 --> 00:53:53.440
<v Speaker 2>the square of cloth. I do not believe you can

764
00:53:53.480 --> 00:53:56.360
<v Speaker 2>see what has happened to this egg, but I will

765
00:53:56.400 --> 00:54:00.440
<v Speaker 2>tell you. There is a little line like a hair

766
00:54:00.840 --> 00:54:04.880
<v Speaker 2>entirely around it. Now that line has become a crack.

767
00:54:05.960 --> 00:54:09.800
<v Speaker 2>Now you can see it. I know it grows wider

768
00:54:09.840 --> 00:54:14.360
<v Speaker 2>and wider. Look, the shell of the egg is separating

769
00:54:14.400 --> 00:54:18.559
<v Speaker 2>in the middle. The whole egg slightly moves. Do you

770
00:54:18.599 --> 00:54:23.800
<v Speaker 2>notice that now you can see something yellow showing itself

771
00:54:23.840 --> 00:54:28.880
<v Speaker 2>between the two parts of the shell. See, it is

772
00:54:28.960 --> 00:54:31.440
<v Speaker 2>moving a good deal, and the two halves of the

773
00:54:31.440 --> 00:54:36.079
<v Speaker 2>shell are separating more and more. And now out tumbles

774
00:54:36.119 --> 00:54:39.679
<v Speaker 2>this queer little object. Do you see what it is?

775
00:54:41.320 --> 00:54:45.079
<v Speaker 2>It is a poor, weak little chick, not able to stand,

776
00:54:45.159 --> 00:54:52.079
<v Speaker 2>but alive, alive. You can all perceive that it is alive.

777
00:54:52.280 --> 00:54:54.639
<v Speaker 2>Now you can see that it is standing on its feet,

778
00:54:56.719 --> 00:55:03.440
<v Speaker 2>feebly enough, but still standing. Behold it takes a few steps.

779
00:55:04.000 --> 00:55:07.480
<v Speaker 2>You cannot doubt that it is alive and came out

780
00:55:07.519 --> 00:55:11.000
<v Speaker 2>of that egg. It is beginning to walk about over

781
00:55:11.039 --> 00:55:17.480
<v Speaker 2>the cloth. Do you notice that it is picking the embroidery. Now,

782
00:55:17.679 --> 00:55:21.679
<v Speaker 2>little chick, I will give you something to eat. This

783
00:55:21.840 --> 00:55:27.360
<v Speaker 2>little red bag contains grain, a magical grain with which

784
00:55:27.360 --> 00:55:31.239
<v Speaker 2>I shall feed the chicken. You must excuse my awkwardness

785
00:55:31.239 --> 00:55:34.320
<v Speaker 2>in opening the bag, as I still hold the wand

786
00:55:35.480 --> 00:55:40.400
<v Speaker 2>but this little stick I must not drop. See, little chick,

787
00:55:40.800 --> 00:55:44.639
<v Speaker 2>there are some grains. They look like rice, but in

788
00:55:44.719 --> 00:55:48.519
<v Speaker 2>fact I have no idea what they are. But he knows,

789
00:55:48.559 --> 00:55:51.440
<v Speaker 2>he knows. Look at him, See how he picks it up.

790
00:55:52.920 --> 00:56:00.559
<v Speaker 2>There he has swallowed one, two, three. That will do

791
00:56:00.639 --> 00:56:06.000
<v Speaker 2>little chick for a first meal. The grain seems to

792
00:56:06.079 --> 00:56:09.719
<v Speaker 2>have strengthened him already. For see how lively he is,

793
00:56:09.880 --> 00:56:12.360
<v Speaker 2>and how his yellow down stands out on him, so

794
00:56:12.519 --> 00:56:16.440
<v Speaker 2>puffy and warm. You are looking for some more grain,

795
00:56:16.599 --> 00:56:20.840
<v Speaker 2>are you well? You cannot have it just yet, And

796
00:56:20.960 --> 00:56:24.280
<v Speaker 2>keep away from those pieces of egg shell, which, by

797
00:56:24.320 --> 00:56:27.920
<v Speaker 2>the way, I will put back into the box. Now, sir,

798
00:56:28.079 --> 00:56:30.280
<v Speaker 2>try to avoid the edge of the table, and to

799
00:56:30.400 --> 00:56:32.679
<v Speaker 2>quiet you, I will give you a little tap on

800
00:56:32.760 --> 00:56:37.119
<v Speaker 2>the back with my Wand now then please observe closely.

801
00:56:38.320 --> 00:56:42.760
<v Speaker 2>The down which just now covered him has almost gone.

802
00:56:42.960 --> 00:56:47.199
<v Speaker 2>He is really a good deal bigger and ever so

803
00:56:47.519 --> 00:56:51.599
<v Speaker 2>much uglier. See the little pin feathers sticking out over him.

804
00:56:52.119 --> 00:56:54.760
<v Speaker 2>Some spots here and there are almost bare, But he

805
00:56:54.840 --> 00:56:58.639
<v Speaker 2>is ever so much more active. Ah, listen to that.

806
00:56:59.639 --> 00:57:02.039
<v Speaker 2>He is so strong that you can hear his beak

807
00:57:02.119 --> 00:57:05.400
<v Speaker 2>as he pecks at the table. He is actually growing

808
00:57:05.440 --> 00:57:09.840
<v Speaker 2>bigger and bigger before our very eyes. See that funny

809
00:57:09.840 --> 00:57:13.760
<v Speaker 2>little tail, how it begins to stick up, and quills

810
00:57:13.800 --> 00:57:18.320
<v Speaker 2>are showing at the end of his wing. Another tap

811
00:57:19.440 --> 00:57:24.000
<v Speaker 2>and a few more grains. Careful, sir, don't tear the cloth.

812
00:57:25.280 --> 00:57:29.599
<v Speaker 2>See how rapidly he grows. He is fairly covered with

813
00:57:29.679 --> 00:57:33.039
<v Speaker 2>feathers red and black, with a tip of yellow in front.

814
00:57:33.800 --> 00:57:38.159
<v Speaker 2>You could hardly get that fellow into an ostrich egg. Now, then,

815
00:57:38.239 --> 00:57:41.840
<v Speaker 2>what do you think of him? He's big enough for

816
00:57:41.880 --> 00:57:45.079
<v Speaker 2>a broiler, though I don't think anyone would want to

817
00:57:45.119 --> 00:57:48.800
<v Speaker 2>take him for that purpose. Some more grain and another

818
00:57:48.880 --> 00:57:52.880
<v Speaker 2>tap from my wand see he does not mind the

819
00:57:52.920 --> 00:57:55.079
<v Speaker 2>little stick, for he has been used to it from

820
00:57:55.159 --> 00:58:01.599
<v Speaker 2>his very berth. Now then he is what you would

821
00:58:01.599 --> 00:58:05.440
<v Speaker 2>call a good half grown chick, rather more than half grown,

822
00:58:05.480 --> 00:58:10.559
<v Speaker 2>I should say. Do you notice his tail? There is

823
00:58:10.599 --> 00:58:13.960
<v Speaker 2>no mistaking him for a pullet. The long feathers are

824
00:58:14.000 --> 00:58:17.320
<v Speaker 2>beginning to curl over already. He must have a little

825
00:58:17.320 --> 00:58:20.960
<v Speaker 2>more grain. Look out, sir, or you will be off

826
00:58:21.000 --> 00:58:26.000
<v Speaker 2>the table. Come back here. This table is too small

827
00:58:26.039 --> 00:58:28.519
<v Speaker 2>for him. But if he were on the floor you

828
00:58:28.559 --> 00:58:33.320
<v Speaker 2>could not see him so well. Other tap. Now see

829
00:58:33.360 --> 00:58:36.599
<v Speaker 2>that comb on the top of his head. You scarcely

830
00:58:36.679 --> 00:58:39.920
<v Speaker 2>noticed it before, and now it is bright red. And

831
00:58:40.039 --> 00:58:44.880
<v Speaker 2>see his spurs beginning to show on good thick legs too.

832
00:58:45.039 --> 00:58:48.880
<v Speaker 2>There is a fine young fellow for you. Look how

833
00:58:48.880 --> 00:58:52.039
<v Speaker 2>he jerks his head from side to side, like the

834
00:58:52.079 --> 00:58:55.280
<v Speaker 2>young prince of a poultry yard, as he well deserves

835
00:58:55.320 --> 00:58:59.480
<v Speaker 2>to be. The attentive interest which had at first characterized

836
00:58:59.480 --> 00:59:04.440
<v Speaker 2>the audience now changed to excited admiration and amazement. Some

837
00:59:04.639 --> 00:59:08.920
<v Speaker 2>leaned forward with mouths wide open. Others stood up so

838
00:59:08.960 --> 00:59:13.960
<v Speaker 2>that they could see better. Ejaculations of astonishment and wonder

839
00:59:14.000 --> 00:59:18.039
<v Speaker 2>were heard on every side, and a more thoroughly fascinated

840
00:59:18.119 --> 00:59:23.440
<v Speaker 2>and absorbed audience was never seen. Now, my friends, Lauren continued,

841
00:59:23.760 --> 00:59:28.480
<v Speaker 2>I will give this handsome fowl another tap. Behold the result,

842
00:59:29.480 --> 00:59:35.079
<v Speaker 2>a noble, full grown cock. Behold his spurs they are

843
00:59:35.119 --> 00:59:39.480
<v Speaker 2>nearly an inch long. See there is a comb for you.

844
00:59:40.480 --> 00:59:45.440
<v Speaker 2>And what a magnificent tail of green and black, contrasting

845
00:59:45.639 --> 00:59:48.400
<v Speaker 2>so finely with the deep red of the rest of

846
00:59:48.480 --> 00:59:52.840
<v Speaker 2>his body. Well, sir, you are truly too big for

847
00:59:52.880 --> 00:59:56.039
<v Speaker 2>this table. As I cannot give you more room, I

848
00:59:56.039 --> 01:00:00.239
<v Speaker 2>will set you up higher. Move over a little, and

849
01:00:00.320 --> 01:00:05.159
<v Speaker 2>I will set this chair on the table. There upon

850
01:00:05.199 --> 01:00:10.239
<v Speaker 2>the seat that's right. But don't stop. There's the back

851
01:00:10.320 --> 01:00:17.480
<v Speaker 2>which is higher yet up with you there he nearly

852
01:00:17.559 --> 01:00:21.760
<v Speaker 2>upset the chair, but I will hold it. See he

853
01:00:21.800 --> 01:00:27.079
<v Speaker 2>has turned around. Now then look at him. See his

854
01:00:27.199 --> 01:00:31.800
<v Speaker 2>wings as he flaps them. He could fly with such wings.

855
01:00:32.440 --> 01:00:37.920
<v Speaker 2>Look at him, See that swelling breast. Ha ha. Listen,

856
01:00:38.719 --> 01:00:42.000
<v Speaker 2>did you ever hear a crow like that? It fairly

857
01:00:42.079 --> 01:00:46.880
<v Speaker 2>rings through the house? Yes, I knew it. There is another.

858
01:00:49.000 --> 01:00:51.199
<v Speaker 2>At this point the people in the house were in

859
01:00:51.239 --> 01:00:54.159
<v Speaker 2>a state of wild excitement. Nearly all of them were

860
01:00:54.159 --> 01:00:56.800
<v Speaker 2>on their feet, and they were in such a condition

861
01:00:56.880 --> 01:00:59.760
<v Speaker 2>of frantic enthusiasm that Loring was afraid some of them

862
01:00:59.800 --> 01:01:03.440
<v Speaker 2>might make a run for the stage. Come, sir, cried Loring,

863
01:01:03.599 --> 01:01:07.760
<v Speaker 2>now almost shouting, that will do you have shown us

864
01:01:07.800 --> 01:01:10.840
<v Speaker 2>the strength of your lungs. Jump down on the seat

865
01:01:10.880 --> 01:01:13.760
<v Speaker 2>of the chair. Now on the table there. I will

866
01:01:13.800 --> 01:01:16.360
<v Speaker 2>take away the chair and you can stand for a

867
01:01:16.400 --> 01:01:18.840
<v Speaker 2>moment on the table and let our friends look at you,

868
01:01:19.519 --> 01:01:23.440
<v Speaker 2>but only for a moment. Take that tap on your back.

869
01:01:26.000 --> 01:01:30.039
<v Speaker 2>Now do you see any difference? Perhaps you may not,

870
01:01:30.519 --> 01:01:35.800
<v Speaker 2>but I do. Yes, I believe you all do. He

871
01:01:35.920 --> 01:01:38.000
<v Speaker 2>is not the big fellow he was a minute ago.

872
01:01:38.679 --> 01:01:44.400
<v Speaker 2>He is really smaller. Only a fine cockrell, a nice

873
01:01:44.480 --> 01:01:47.559
<v Speaker 2>tail that, but with none of the noble sweep that

874
01:01:47.599 --> 01:01:51.679
<v Speaker 2>it had a minute ago. No, don't try to get

875
01:01:51.719 --> 01:01:58.199
<v Speaker 2>off the table. You can't escape my Wand another tap.

876
01:02:00.440 --> 01:02:02.719
<v Speaker 2>A half grown chicken, good to eat, but with not

877
01:02:02.800 --> 01:02:05.519
<v Speaker 2>a crow in him. Hungry are you? But you need

878
01:02:05.599 --> 01:02:08.119
<v Speaker 2>not pick at the table that way you get no

879
01:02:08.239 --> 01:02:12.719
<v Speaker 2>more grain, but only this little tap. Ha ha, What

880
01:02:12.800 --> 01:02:17.000
<v Speaker 2>are you coming to? There is a chicken barely feathered

881
01:02:17.119 --> 01:02:19.239
<v Speaker 2>enough for us to tell what color he is going

882
01:02:19.320 --> 01:02:25.800
<v Speaker 2>to be. Another tap will take still more of the

883
01:02:25.840 --> 01:02:30.519
<v Speaker 2>conceit out of him. Look at him. There are his

884
01:02:30.639 --> 01:02:35.760
<v Speaker 2>pin feathers and his bare spots. Don't try to get away.

885
01:02:36.000 --> 01:02:41.599
<v Speaker 2>I can easily tap you again. Now, then here's a

886
01:02:41.639 --> 01:02:46.119
<v Speaker 2>lovely little chick, fluffy with yellow down. He is active enough,

887
01:02:46.239 --> 01:02:50.320
<v Speaker 2>but I shall quiet him one tap. And now what

888
01:02:50.440 --> 01:02:55.800
<v Speaker 2>do you see? A poor feeble chicken, scarcely able to stand,

889
01:02:56.519 --> 01:02:59.079
<v Speaker 2>with his down all packed close to him as if

890
01:02:59.079 --> 01:02:59.960
<v Speaker 2>he had been out in the.

891
01:03:02.079 --> 01:03:02.480
<v Speaker 1>Ah.

892
01:03:02.639 --> 01:03:06.239
<v Speaker 2>Little chick, I will take the two halves of the

893
01:03:06.280 --> 01:03:09.639
<v Speaker 2>eggshell from which you came and put them on each

894
01:03:09.760 --> 01:03:15.519
<v Speaker 2>side of you. Come. Now, get in I close them up.

895
01:03:16.639 --> 01:03:20.519
<v Speaker 2>You are lost to view. There is nothing to be

896
01:03:20.599 --> 01:03:24.280
<v Speaker 2>seen but a crack around the shell. Now it has gone.

897
01:03:24.920 --> 01:03:28.960
<v Speaker 2>There my friends, as I hold it on high, Behold

898
01:03:29.000 --> 01:03:33.280
<v Speaker 2>the magic egg, exactly as it was when I first

899
01:03:33.280 --> 01:03:36.559
<v Speaker 2>took it out of the box into which I will

900
01:03:36.599 --> 01:03:39.519
<v Speaker 2>place it again with the cloth and the wand and

901
01:03:39.599 --> 01:03:42.519
<v Speaker 2>the little red bag, and shut it up with a snap.

902
01:03:44.119 --> 01:03:45.880
<v Speaker 2>I will let you take one more look at this

903
01:03:46.000 --> 01:03:49.320
<v Speaker 2>box before I put it away behind the scenes. Are

904
01:03:49.360 --> 01:03:53.519
<v Speaker 2>you satisfied with what I have shown you? Do you

905
01:03:53.559 --> 01:03:56.400
<v Speaker 2>think it is really as wonderful as you supposed it

906
01:03:56.440 --> 01:03:59.920
<v Speaker 2>would be. At these words, the whole audience burst into

907
01:04:00.159 --> 01:04:05.079
<v Speaker 2>riotous applause, during which Loring disappeared, but he was back

908
01:04:05.119 --> 01:04:10.079
<v Speaker 2>in a moment. Thank you, he cried, bowing low and

909
01:04:10.119 --> 01:04:12.079
<v Speaker 2>waving his arms before him in the manner of an

910
01:04:12.079 --> 01:04:17.039
<v Speaker 2>Eastern magician, making a salaam from side to side. He turned,

911
01:04:17.360 --> 01:04:20.960
<v Speaker 2>bowing and thanking, and then with a hearty goodbye to you,

912
01:04:21.480 --> 01:04:24.880
<v Speaker 2>goodbye to you all, he stepped back and let down

913
01:04:24.880 --> 01:04:30.559
<v Speaker 2>the curtain. For some moments, the audience remained in their seats,

914
01:04:30.960 --> 01:04:34.480
<v Speaker 2>as if they were expecting something more, and then they

915
01:04:34.559 --> 01:04:39.000
<v Speaker 2>rose quietly and began to disperse. Most of them were

916
01:04:39.000 --> 01:04:42.239
<v Speaker 2>acquainted with one another, and there was a good deal

917
01:04:42.280 --> 01:04:45.000
<v Speaker 2>of greeting and talking as they went out of the theater.

918
01:04:45.719 --> 01:04:48.480
<v Speaker 2>When Loring was sure the last person had departed, he

919
01:04:48.599 --> 01:04:51.119
<v Speaker 2>turned down the lights, locked the door, and gave the

920
01:04:51.199 --> 01:04:54.079
<v Speaker 2>key to the steward of the club. He walked to

921
01:04:54.199 --> 01:04:58.880
<v Speaker 2>his home a happy man. His exhibition had been a

922
01:04:58.880 --> 01:05:02.800
<v Speaker 2>perfect success, with not a break or a flaw in

923
01:05:02.880 --> 01:05:06.840
<v Speaker 2>it from beginning to end. I feel, thought the young

924
01:05:06.880 --> 01:05:10.159
<v Speaker 2>man as he strode along, as if I could fly

925
01:05:10.320 --> 01:05:13.280
<v Speaker 2>to the top of that steeple and flap and crow

926
01:05:13.400 --> 01:05:17.079
<v Speaker 2>until all the world heard me. That evening, as was

927
01:05:17.079 --> 01:05:22.239
<v Speaker 2>his daily custom, Herbert Loring called upon miss Starr. He

928
01:05:22.280 --> 01:05:25.519
<v Speaker 2>found the young lady in the library. I came in here,

929
01:05:25.599 --> 01:05:27.960
<v Speaker 2>she said, because I have a good deal to talk

930
01:05:28.000 --> 01:05:31.119
<v Speaker 2>to you about, and I do not want interruption with

931
01:05:31.239 --> 01:05:35.239
<v Speaker 2>this arrangement. The young man expressed his entire satisfaction and

932
01:05:35.320 --> 01:05:38.320
<v Speaker 2>immediately began to inquire the cause of her absence from

933
01:05:38.320 --> 01:05:42.960
<v Speaker 2>his exhibition in the afternoon. But I was there, said Edith.

934
01:05:44.039 --> 01:05:47.760
<v Speaker 2>You did not see me, but I was there. Mother

935
01:05:47.800 --> 01:05:51.079
<v Speaker 2>had a headache, and I went by myself. You were there,

936
01:05:52.199 --> 01:05:57.000
<v Speaker 2>exclaimed Loring, almost starting from his chair. I don't understand

937
01:05:58.880 --> 01:06:04.719
<v Speaker 2>you were not in your seat, no, answered Edith. I

938
01:06:04.800 --> 01:06:07.280
<v Speaker 2>was on the very back row. Of seats. You could

939
01:06:07.360 --> 01:06:10.960
<v Speaker 2>not see me, and I did not wish you to

940
01:06:11.000 --> 01:06:15.559
<v Speaker 2>see me, Edith exclaimed Loring, rising to his feet and

941
01:06:15.639 --> 01:06:20.639
<v Speaker 2>leaning over the library table, which was between them. When

942
01:06:20.679 --> 01:06:24.880
<v Speaker 2>did you come? How much of the performance did you see?

943
01:06:25.559 --> 01:06:28.599
<v Speaker 2>I was late, she said, I did not arrive until

944
01:06:28.639 --> 01:06:32.400
<v Speaker 2>after the fireworks or whatever they were. For a moment,

945
01:06:32.519 --> 01:06:37.199
<v Speaker 2>Loring was silent, as if he did not understand the situation. Fireworks,

946
01:06:37.679 --> 01:06:40.400
<v Speaker 2>he said, How did you know there had been fireworks?

947
01:06:41.000 --> 01:06:43.320
<v Speaker 2>I heard the people talking of them as they left

948
01:06:43.320 --> 01:06:47.199
<v Speaker 2>the theater, she answered, And what did they say, he

949
01:06:47.239 --> 01:06:51.239
<v Speaker 2>inquired quickly. They seemed to like them very well, she replied,

950
01:06:52.440 --> 01:06:56.400
<v Speaker 2>but I do not think they were quite satisfied from

951
01:06:56.400 --> 01:07:00.119
<v Speaker 2>what I heard some person say. I inferred that they

952
01:07:00.119 --> 01:07:02.519
<v Speaker 2>thought it was not very much of a show to

953
01:07:02.599 --> 01:07:06.239
<v Speaker 2>which you had invited them. Again, Loring stood and thought,

954
01:07:06.320 --> 01:07:09.760
<v Speaker 2>looking down at the table. But before he could speak again,

955
01:07:10.079 --> 01:07:14.159
<v Speaker 2>Edith sprang to her feet. Herbert Loring, She cried, what

956
01:07:14.199 --> 01:07:16.760
<v Speaker 2>does all this mean? I was there during the whole

957
01:07:16.800 --> 01:07:19.039
<v Speaker 2>of the exhibition of what you called the Magic Egg.

958
01:07:19.639 --> 01:07:22.280
<v Speaker 2>I saw all those people wild with excitement at the

959
01:07:22.320 --> 01:07:24.320
<v Speaker 2>wonderful sight of the chicken that came out of the

960
01:07:24.360 --> 01:07:26.519
<v Speaker 2>egg and grew to full size, and then dwindled down

961
01:07:26.559 --> 01:07:30.159
<v Speaker 2>again and went back into the egg. And Herbert, there

962
01:07:30.280 --> 01:07:32.760
<v Speaker 2>was no egg, and there was no little box, and

963
01:07:32.800 --> 01:07:36.320
<v Speaker 2>there was no wand and no embroidered cloth, and there

964
01:07:36.440 --> 01:07:40.320
<v Speaker 2>was no red bag, nor any little chick, and there

965
01:07:40.400 --> 01:07:42.960
<v Speaker 2>was no full grown fowl. And there was no chair

966
01:07:43.000 --> 01:07:46.239
<v Speaker 2>that you put on the table. There was nothing, absolutely

967
01:07:46.360 --> 01:07:50.880
<v Speaker 2>nothing but you and that table. Even the table was

968
01:07:50.960 --> 01:07:54.039
<v Speaker 2>not what you said it was. It was not an

969
01:07:54.199 --> 01:07:59.079
<v Speaker 2>unpainted pine table with four straight legs. It was a

970
01:07:59.159 --> 01:08:02.440
<v Speaker 2>table of dark polished wood, and it stood on a

971
01:08:02.480 --> 01:08:07.440
<v Speaker 2>single post with feet. There was nothing there that you

972
01:08:07.519 --> 01:08:12.719
<v Speaker 2>said was there. Everything was a sham and a delusion.

973
01:08:13.199 --> 01:08:17.600
<v Speaker 2>Every word you spoke was untrue. And yet everybody in

974
01:08:17.640 --> 01:08:22.079
<v Speaker 2>that theater, excepting you and me, saw all the things

975
01:08:22.119 --> 01:08:25.039
<v Speaker 2>that you said were on the stage. I know they

976
01:08:25.079 --> 01:08:27.680
<v Speaker 2>saw them all, for I was with the people and

977
01:08:27.800 --> 01:08:31.680
<v Speaker 2>heard them and saw them, and at times I fairly

978
01:08:31.840 --> 01:08:35.319
<v Speaker 2>felt the thrill of enthusiasm which possessed them as they

979
01:08:36.239 --> 01:08:39.479
<v Speaker 2>glared at the miracles and wonders you said were happening.

980
01:08:40.520 --> 01:08:47.560
<v Speaker 2>Boring smiled, Sit down, my dear Edith, He said, you

981
01:08:47.600 --> 01:08:50.800
<v Speaker 2>are excited, and there is not the slightest cause for it.

982
01:08:51.920 --> 01:08:56.039
<v Speaker 2>I will explain the whole affair to you. It is

983
01:08:56.079 --> 01:08:59.760
<v Speaker 2>simple enough. You know that study is the great object

984
01:08:59.760 --> 01:09:04.159
<v Speaker 2>of my life. I study all sorts of things, and

985
01:09:04.479 --> 01:09:10.279
<v Speaker 2>just now I am greatly interested in hypnotism. The subject

986
01:09:10.319 --> 01:09:14.800
<v Speaker 2>has become fascinating to me. I have made a great

987
01:09:14.920 --> 01:09:18.760
<v Speaker 2>many successful trials of my power, and the affair of

988
01:09:18.800 --> 01:09:21.560
<v Speaker 2>this afternoon was nothing but a trial of my powers

989
01:09:21.600 --> 01:09:25.039
<v Speaker 2>on a more extensive scale than anything I have yet attempted.

990
01:09:26.319 --> 01:09:28.640
<v Speaker 2>I wanted to see if it were possible for me

991
01:09:28.720 --> 01:09:34.000
<v Speaker 2>to hypnotize a considerable number of people without anyone suspecting

992
01:09:34.039 --> 01:09:37.520
<v Speaker 2>what I intended to do. The result was a success.

993
01:09:38.640 --> 01:09:41.600
<v Speaker 2>I hypnotized all those people by means of the first

994
01:09:41.600 --> 01:09:46.239
<v Speaker 2>part of my performance, which consisted of some combinations of

995
01:09:46.279 --> 01:09:52.560
<v Speaker 2>colored glass with lights thrown upon them. They revolved and

996
01:09:52.600 --> 01:09:57.079
<v Speaker 2>looked like fireworks, and were strung on a wire high

997
01:09:57.199 --> 01:10:01.800
<v Speaker 2>up on the stage. Kept up the glittering and dazzling show,

998
01:10:02.000 --> 01:10:05.640
<v Speaker 2>which was well worth seeing, I can assure you. Until

999
01:10:05.680 --> 01:10:08.520
<v Speaker 2>the people had been straining their eyes upward for almost

1000
01:10:08.520 --> 01:10:12.760
<v Speaker 2>half an hour, and this sort of thing, I will

1001
01:10:12.800 --> 01:10:16.039
<v Speaker 2>tell you you do not know. It is one of

1002
01:10:16.079 --> 01:10:20.319
<v Speaker 2>the methods of producing hypnotic sleep. There was no one

1003
01:10:20.399 --> 01:10:24.880
<v Speaker 2>present who was not an impressionable subject. For I was

1004
01:10:25.039 --> 01:10:29.319
<v Speaker 2>very careful in sending out my invitations, and when I

1005
01:10:29.399 --> 01:10:34.479
<v Speaker 2>became almost certain that my audience was thoroughly hypnotized, I

1006
01:10:34.600 --> 01:10:40.159
<v Speaker 2>stopped the show and began the real exhibition, which was

1007
01:10:40.199 --> 01:10:44.600
<v Speaker 2>not really for their benefit but for mine. Of course,

1008
01:10:44.640 --> 01:10:48.039
<v Speaker 2>I was dreadfully anxious, for fear I had not succeeded entirely,

1009
01:10:48.199 --> 01:10:50.119
<v Speaker 2>and that there might be at least some one person

1010
01:10:50.159 --> 01:10:53.680
<v Speaker 2>who had not succumbed to the hypnotic influences. And so

1011
01:10:53.800 --> 01:10:56.680
<v Speaker 2>I tested the matter by bringing out that table and

1012
01:10:56.720 --> 01:10:59.520
<v Speaker 2>telling them it was something it was not. If I

1013
01:10:59.560 --> 01:11:02.159
<v Speaker 2>had had any reason for supposing that some of the

1014
01:11:02.239 --> 01:11:05.479
<v Speaker 2>audience saw the table as it really was, I had

1015
01:11:05.520 --> 01:11:09.600
<v Speaker 2>an explanation ready, and I could have retired from my

1016
01:11:09.720 --> 01:11:15.640
<v Speaker 2>position without anyone supposing that I had intended making hypnotic experiment.

1017
01:11:16.359 --> 01:11:18.880
<v Speaker 2>The rest of the exhibition would have been some things

1018
01:11:18.920 --> 01:11:22.600
<v Speaker 2>that anyone could see, and as soon as possible, I

1019
01:11:22.640 --> 01:11:26.239
<v Speaker 2>would have released from their spell those who were hypnotized.

1020
01:11:28.159 --> 01:11:31.920
<v Speaker 2>But when I became positively assured that everyone saw a

1021
01:11:32.039 --> 01:11:36.920
<v Speaker 2>light pine table with four straight legs, I confidently went

1022
01:11:36.960 --> 01:11:40.800
<v Speaker 2>on with the performances of the Magic egg. Edith's star

1023
01:11:41.079 --> 01:11:44.119
<v Speaker 2>was still standing by the library table. She had not

1024
01:11:44.239 --> 01:11:47.920
<v Speaker 2>heeded Loring's advice to sit down, and she was trembling

1025
01:11:48.000 --> 01:11:53.000
<v Speaker 2>with emotion. Herbert Loring, she said, you invited my mother

1026
01:11:53.079 --> 01:11:56.159
<v Speaker 2>and me to that exhibition. You gave us tickets for

1027
01:11:56.279 --> 01:11:59.520
<v Speaker 2>front seats where we would be certain to be hypnotized

1028
01:11:59.520 --> 01:12:03.199
<v Speaker 2>if you're expearment succeeded, and you would have made us

1029
01:12:03.279 --> 01:12:07.239
<v Speaker 2>see that false show, which faded from those people's minds

1030
01:12:07.279 --> 01:12:10.399
<v Speaker 2>as soon as they recovered from the spell. For as

1031
01:12:10.439 --> 01:12:13.239
<v Speaker 2>they went away, they were talking only of the fireworks,

1032
01:12:13.760 --> 01:12:16.279
<v Speaker 2>and not one of them mentioned a magic egg, or

1033
01:12:16.319 --> 01:12:20.840
<v Speaker 2>a chicken or anything of the kind. Answer me this,

1034
01:12:21.079 --> 01:12:24.520
<v Speaker 2>Did you not intend that I should come and be

1035
01:12:24.680 --> 01:12:29.720
<v Speaker 2>put under that spell? Loring smiled, Yes, he said, of

1036
01:12:29.760 --> 01:12:33.399
<v Speaker 2>course I did. But then your case would have been

1037
01:12:33.439 --> 01:12:37.359
<v Speaker 2>different from that of the other spectators. I should have

1038
01:12:37.399 --> 01:12:40.720
<v Speaker 2>explained the whole thing to you, and I am sure

1039
01:12:40.760 --> 01:12:43.159
<v Speaker 2>we would have had a great deal of pleasure and

1040
01:12:43.279 --> 01:12:48.840
<v Speaker 2>profit too in discussing your experiences. The subject is extremely

1041
01:12:50.000 --> 01:12:53.079
<v Speaker 2>explain to me, she cried, You would not have dared

1042
01:12:53.119 --> 01:12:55.960
<v Speaker 2>to do it. I do not know how brave you

1043
01:12:56.039 --> 01:12:58.159
<v Speaker 2>may be, but I know you would not have had

1044
01:12:58.159 --> 01:13:00.359
<v Speaker 2>the courage to come here and tell me that you

1045
01:13:00.399 --> 01:13:03.439
<v Speaker 2>had taken away my reason and my judgment as you

1046
01:13:03.479 --> 01:13:05.720
<v Speaker 2>took them away from all those people, and that you

1047
01:13:05.760 --> 01:13:08.760
<v Speaker 2>had made me a mere tool of your will, glaring

1048
01:13:08.840 --> 01:13:11.680
<v Speaker 2>and panting with excitement at the wonderful things you told

1049
01:13:11.680 --> 01:13:15.119
<v Speaker 2>me to see where nothing existed. I have nothing to

1050
01:13:15.199 --> 01:13:18.520
<v Speaker 2>say about the others. They can speak for themselves if

1051
01:13:18.560 --> 01:13:20.800
<v Speaker 2>they ever come to know what you did to them.

1052
01:13:21.600 --> 01:13:24.640
<v Speaker 2>I speak for myself. I stood up with the rest

1053
01:13:24.680 --> 01:13:28.399
<v Speaker 2>of the people. I gazed with all my power, and

1054
01:13:28.560 --> 01:13:31.560
<v Speaker 2>over and over again, I asked myself if it could

1055
01:13:31.560 --> 01:13:34.319
<v Speaker 2>be possible that anything was the matter with my eyes

1056
01:13:34.479 --> 01:13:36.960
<v Speaker 2>or my brain, and if I could be the only

1057
01:13:37.039 --> 01:13:40.119
<v Speaker 2>person there who could not see the marvelous spectacle that

1058
01:13:40.199 --> 01:13:44.600
<v Speaker 2>you were describing. But now I know that nothing was real,

1059
01:13:45.600 --> 01:13:49.039
<v Speaker 2>not even the little pine table, not even the man

1060
01:13:50.319 --> 01:13:56.920
<v Speaker 2>even me, exclaimed Loring. Surely I was real enough on

1061
01:13:57.039 --> 01:14:01.560
<v Speaker 2>that stage, yes, she said, But you there proved you

1062
01:14:01.640 --> 01:14:04.960
<v Speaker 2>were not the Herbert Loring to whom I promised myself

1063
01:14:06.319 --> 01:14:10.359
<v Speaker 2>he was an unreal being. If he had existed, he

1064
01:14:10.359 --> 01:14:13.560
<v Speaker 2>would not have been a man who would have brought

1065
01:14:13.560 --> 01:14:17.840
<v Speaker 2>me to that public place, all ignorant of his intentions

1066
01:14:18.640 --> 01:14:23.880
<v Speaker 2>to cloud my perceptions, to subject my intellect to his own,

1067
01:14:25.319 --> 01:14:28.560
<v Speaker 2>and make me believe a lie. If a man should

1068
01:14:28.640 --> 01:14:31.039
<v Speaker 2>treat me in that way once, he would treat me

1069
01:14:31.079 --> 01:14:35.039
<v Speaker 2>so at other times, and in other ways, if he

1070
01:14:35.119 --> 01:14:39.920
<v Speaker 2>had the chance. You have treated me in the past

1071
01:14:40.239 --> 01:14:43.079
<v Speaker 2>as today you treated those people who glared at the

1072
01:14:43.079 --> 01:14:46.760
<v Speaker 2>magic egg. In the days gone by, you made me

1073
01:14:46.880 --> 01:14:52.680
<v Speaker 2>see an unreal man. But you will never do it again. Goodbye, Edith,

1074
01:14:53.159 --> 01:14:57.159
<v Speaker 2>cried Loring. You don't, But she had disappeared through a

1075
01:14:57.239 --> 01:15:01.399
<v Speaker 2>side door, and he never spoke to her again. Walking

1076
01:15:01.520 --> 01:15:05.600
<v Speaker 2>home through the dimly lighted streets, Loring involuntarily spoke aloud,

1077
01:15:06.359 --> 01:15:09.359
<v Speaker 2>and this, he said, is what came out of the

1078
01:15:09.439 --> 01:15:10.119
<v Speaker 2>magic egg.