t deny the sneaking pleasure which this flippancy gave me at the
time, but in the light of calmer reflection I feel that Mr. MILNE would
really have pleased himself better if he could have found the courage to
keep the play on a serious note all through the interval between _Mr.
Pim's_ first and second revelations. Apart from the higher question of
sincerity he would have gained something, in an artistic sense, by getting
a stronger contrast out of the change of situation that followed the
announcement of Tellworthy's demise.

In the First Act we seemed to have a little too much of the young couple,
but this insistence was perhaps justified by the important part which their
affairs subsequently played (along with the _leit-motif_ of the futuristic
curtains) in the readjustment of the relations between husband and wife.

If I have any flaw to find in a really charming play, I think it was a
mistake for _Mrs. Marden_ to let _Mr. Pim_ into the secret of her past. As
with the sweet influences of _Pippa_, so with the devastating havoc wrought
by the inexactitudes of _Mr. Pim_, I think he should have been left
unconscious of the effect of his passing.

For the rest,

Mr. MILNE'S at his best--
All's right with the play!

O.S.

* * * * *

[Illustration: IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT BROWN HAD NOT FINISHED HIS
MASTERPIECE, "THE SURRENDER OF THE GARRISON," BY THE TIME THE WAR CAME TO
AN END.]

[Illustration: HOWEVER, IT NEEDED VERY LITTLE ALTERATION TO MAKE IT
SALEABLE.]

* * * * *

EUPHONIOUS ALIENS.

(_A successful chamber concert has been given by three players, styling
themselves "The Modern Trio," and named as under._)

You may search through all Europe from Nenagh to Nish
For such a delightfully-named coalish
As that of MANNUCCI and MELZAK and KRISH.

In MELZAK we note the Slavonic ambish;
MANNUCCI suggests an Italian dish,
And there's an exotic allurement in KRISH.

Their combined _cantilena's_ as soothing as squish;
'Twould have banished the madness of SAUL, son of KISH,
Had he listened to MELZAK, MANNUCCI and KRISH.

Their music, I gather, is wholly delish,
But their names are the thing that I specially wish
To applaud in MANNUCCI and MELZAK and KRISH.

* * * * *

THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

"FOR SALE.--Entire household, $200 cash."--_American Paper_.

* * *