`` Yes , one must be quiet and neat and respectable , and all that sort of thing for a little , when one becomes a family man . But I 'm tired of it , that 's the truth . I 've done quite enough business , I consider , in the last week , to last me my life . So I shall put on a ball dress , and go out and be a smart man , and see the gay world , and have a dance or two . Why should n't one be jolly if one can ? '' `` And what will become of your wife ? '' `` Oh ! she is a very plain stupid creature , and that 's the truth ; and thinks about nothing but eggs . If she chooses to come , why she may ; and if not , why I go without her ; -- and here I go . '' And , as he spoke , he turned quite pale , and then quite white . `` Why , you 're ill ! '' said Tom . But he did not answer . `` You 're dead , '' said Tom , looking at him as he stood on his knee as white as a ghost . `` No , I ai n't ! '' answered a little squeaking voice over his head . `` This is me up here , in my ball-dress ; and that 's my skin . Ha , ha ! you could not do such a trick as that ! '' And no more Tom could , nor Houdin , nor Robin , nor Frikell , nor all the conjurors in the world .
For the little rogue had jumped clean out of his own skin , and left it standing on XXXXX 's knee , eyes , wings , legs , tail , exactly as if it had been alive .
Frikell Houdin Robin Tom ball-dress business conjurors eggs ghost week