This is no time
for half-measures."
Had she been pretty, it is just possible Kelson might have assented,
but he had no sympathy with the ugly--they set his teeth on edge--he
loathed them.
"Certainly, madam, certainly," he said, "here is a spell that will
have the effect you desire," and he handed her a ring containing a
magnes microcosmi fully charged with the essence of life of an idiot.
"Wear it," he said, "night and day. Never be without it."
She joyfully obeyed, and within forty-eight hours was lodged in a home
for incurables.
Another woman, if possible even uglier than the last, approached him
with a similar request.
"Let me have a spell at once," she said, "that will make every member
of the Government be run over by taxis--and killed. They are monsters,
tyrants--I abominate them. Let them be slowly--very slowly--SQUASHED
to death!"
"Very well, madam," Kelson said, carefully concealing a smile, "here
is what you want--wear it next your heart;" and he gave her a locket,
containing a magnes microcosmi charged with the essence of life of a
leper, which he had procured at considerable risk and expense.
"I consider your fee far too high," the Suffragette said. "You take
advantage of me because I'm a woman."
"Very well, madam," he said, "I will make an exception in your case,
and let you have it for half the sum."
With a good deal more grumbling she paid the half fee, and, fastening
the locket round her neck, flounced out of the building.
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