. I can almost hear the
order being passed along the line--"Prepare to charge"--almost
catch the bugle-call as his ten fingers rush forth to the assault,
forth to death or glory, to triumph or utter confusion.... As to what
follows, I have always thought the rally after a charge was an
anticlimax, even when it consists of a rapid "Rule Britannia!"
passing off evenly, without a hitch.

I find, looking round my fellow-officers, that I have omitted the
final touch, the last stirring detail to complete the picture of the
soldier's hard but eventful life. In the one easy, or easy-ish, chair
sits the Major, that gallant gentleman whose sole but exacting
business in life it is to gallop like the devil into the far distance
when it is rumoured that the battalion will deploy. He sits now at
leisure, but even at leisure he is not at ease: silent, with every
nerve and fibre strained to the utmost tension, he crouches over his
work. He is at his darning; ay, with real wool and a real needle he is
darning his socks. The colour of his work may not be harmonious, but
it is a thorough job; he has done what even few women would do, he has
darned not only the hole in his hosiery but his left hand also.

As for the men, they have been dealt with by a select body under the
formidable title of the Christmas Festivities Committee. It has
provided each man with a little beer, a lot of turkey and much too
much plum pudding. Having disengaged the birds into their separate
units, it has then left the man to himself for the day, thus showing,
in my opinion, a wise discretion rarely found in committees, even
military committees.

Yours ever,
HENRY.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Visitor._ "COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT TIME THE TIDE IS UP?"

_Odd job man._ "WELL, SIR, THEY DO EXPECK 'IGH WATER AT
SIX; BUT THEN YOU KNOW WOT THESE 'ERE RUMOURS ARE NOWADAYS."]

* * * * *

"Exchange, charming country parish, North Yorks. Easy distance
sea. Income safe."--_Advt. in "Guardian."_

Yes, but what about the rectory?

* * * * *

[Illustration: GREAT EXPECTATIONS.

HOW MABEL PICTURED HER BIG BROTHER'S ARRIVAL FOR WEEK-END
LEAVE FROM THE FRONT.]

* * * * *

THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL.

I rode into Pincher River on an August afternoon,
The pinto's hoofs on the prairie drumming a drowsy tune,
By the shacks and