II. we are
slightly more fortunate:--

"SCENE.--_Downing Street_ (it begins). _Enter mixed Chorus of
private secretaries, female shorthand writers and
representatives of the Press, followed by Sir ROBERT HORNE, Mr.
ROBERT WILLIAMS and Mr. SMILLIE._"

What happens after this I can only roughly surmise, but most probably
Mr. SMILLIE proves false to Britannia and flirts for some time with
Anarchy, egged on by Mr. WILLIAMS and urged by Sir ROBERT HORNE to
return to his earlier flame. At any rate, after a little, the
handwriting grows clearer, and I read:--

"_Mr. SMILLIE (striking the pavement with his pick)_.
We mean to strike.

_Chorus._ He means to strike, he means to strike,
Rash man! Did ever you hear the like
Of what he has just asserted?
Living is dear enough now, on my soul,
What will it be when we can't get coal?

_PRIME MINISTER (entering suddenly)._
This strike must be averted."

There seems to have been some doubt as to how the PRIME MINISTER'S
entrance should be effected, for at this point we get the marginal note:
"_? From door of No. 10. ? On wings. ? Trap door. ? Riding St. Bernard
Dog._"

But the difficulty was evidently settled, and the Chorus begins again:--

"Oh, here is the wizard from Wales,
The wonderful wizard from Wales,
The British Prime Minister,

_MR. WILLIAMS._ Subtle and sinister.

_Chorus._ Oh, no! That is only your fancy.
Disputes he can manage and check;
All parties respond to his beck.

_MR. WILLIAMS._ He talks through the back of his neck!

_Chorus._ When he talks through the back of his neck
We call it his neck-romancy."

Of the arguments used by Mr. LLOYD GEORGE after this spirited
encouragement no record remains but the following passage:--

"My dear Mr. SMILLIE,
We value you highly
Howe'er so ferociously raven you.
We must find a way out,
And we shall do, no doubt,
If we only explore every avenue.

_Chorus._ Yes, please, do explore every avenue.

[_Exeunt Mr. LLOYD GEORGE and Mr. SMILLIE arm-in-arm, R. (?
followed by St. Bernard) and return C. Exeunt L. and return C.
again, and so on._

_Chorus._ Oh, have you explored every avenue?"

Apparently they have, for later on we get--

"_P