inet meeting there will be other visitors at lunch-time,
and these are generally of an official character. Big plans affecting
the social future of England have undoubtedly been worked out over
Lloyd George's lunch-table. He is a vivid talker himself, but he is
also a good listener, and there is not any one more ready to give an
ear to tactful and helpful advice--only those who offer it must have
something to say.

At a quarter to three in the afternoon the House of Commons assembles,
and from that time onward to eleven o'clock at night Lloyd George is to
be found either on the Treasury bench or in his private room behind the
Speaker's chair. Endless are the occupations for a busy Minister in
Parliament, and whether he is answering questions, expounding policy,
fighting through details of proposals, or merely listening to the
speeches of opponents, he is pretty well on the stretch the whole time.
Even in his own room there is business to be done, deputations to be
received, "whips" to be consulted, friendly or hostile talks to be gone
through with members, and frequently also the reception of individual
visitors. All this takes no account of social usages, the little
hospitalities which must not be forgotten--the accompanying of groups
of constituents to the public galleries, the entertainment of other
groups to tea on the Terrace overlooking the river. Sometimes an hour
may be seized for the House of Lords at the other end of the corridor
when they are dealing with Commons legislation.

I asked Lloyd George how he managed to sleep after such days as these,
and he said: "I never have any difficulty about that. Downing Street
is only about four minutes' walk from the House of Commons. If the
House adjourns at eleven I am usually away by twenty minutes past, and
at a quarter to twelve I am in bed--probably asleep. This power for
quick sleep has always been a great help to me."

The Lloyd George family at home consisted of Mr. and Mrs. George, two
sons, and two daughters. Of the two boys, both in the twenties, one
was at Cambridge University and the other in a responsible position as
a civil engineer. Both are now soldiers, fighting in France. There
are two girls, Megan and her sister, Olwen, a charming girl who has
lately become engaged to a medical officer in the army. There is
another person who frequently completes the family circle at 11 Downing
Street. It is Richard Lloyd, the old shoemaker who forty y