stess replied. "There's more reason in it than you
think."

And there was.

The whole point of this mediocre narrative consists in the fact that within
a few seconds some dozen sparrows had descended to the yard and were
feeding busily while the chaffinch watched from above. And this happens at
every mealtime.

To what extent we are contributing to the French Commissariat I cannot say;
but with my own eyes I have seen a French citizen being systematically
generous to his English cousins.

* * * * *

"The sale [of potatoes] started at 6 a.m., and the first omnibus from
London brought over 200 buyers down."--_Weekly Dispatch._

A gross case of overcrowding.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Civilian _(_who has been asked to luncheon at outlying
fort_). "I SAY, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T POSSIBLY LAND BY THAT ABSURD LITTLE
LADDER."

_Host._ "ROT, OLD CHAP. I'VE HAD THE VERY DICKENS OF A JOB TO GET YOU A
PASS--AND, BESIDES, PEOPLE DON'T OFTEN FALL IN."]

* * * * *

DOUBLE ENTENTE.

["In view of the fact that M.C. is also the abbreviation for 'Military
Cross' ... it has been recommended that the abbreviations for the
degrees of Bachelor of Surgery and Master of Surgery be altered from
B.C. and M.C. to B.Ch. and M.Ch."]

In view of the fact that P.M. is also the abbreviation for Prime Minister
and Post-Mortem, the London and North-Western Railway recommend that in
future the abbreviation for afternoon be A.L. (After Luncheon).

In view of the fact that (as every schoolboy knows) D.D. is also the
abbreviation for Double Donkey, the Upper House of Convocation recommend
that in future the abbreviation for Doctor of Divinity be Doc. Div.

In view of the fact that Q.S. is also the abbreviation for Quarter
Sessions, the Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society recommend that in
future the abbreviation for Quantum Suff. be S.W. (Say When).

* * * * *

"Herbert Spencer made a rough outline of his 'Sympathetic Philosophy'
when forty years old."--_Weekly Paper._

Alas! he never lived to fill in the details.

* * * * *

A PERSONAL TRIUMPH.

Always at the same point of my railway journey North I drop my paper and
wait till a certain trim red-roofed ivy-clad cottage comes into view across
the fields to the right. Till yesterday there were two r