Curiosity as to names is a foible which should be, I am convinced, discouraged; but on this occasion I could not resist the desire to know more of such assiduous habitues.  Drawing one of the attendants aside, I asked him if he could tell who these romantic young things were.  “To be sure,” he said.  “The young gentleman is ‘The Blue Boy,’ by GAINSBOROUGH, and the young lady is the Lady ELIZABETH MONTAGU, by REYNOLDS.”

Only portraits after all, you say.  But don’t be too hasty.  Go rather to the National Gallery and see for yourself.  Maybe you will then realise that there is more there than paint....

Shallow people talk about accidents.  But the wise know that accidents do not happen.  The wise know that the War broke out in order that Grosvenor House, where “The Blue Boy” normally resides, and Montagu House, the home of this little Buccleuch lady with skin like an anemone, might be needed for War-work, so that when the pictures were sent to the National Gallery for safer keeping these two might be placed opposite each other in the same room.  Chance?  The only chance is destiny.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Munition Worker.  “I’VE BOUGHT A PIANO.”

Foreman.  “GOT ANYBODY AT HOME WHO CAN PLAY IT?”

Munition Worker.  “NO, NOT AT PRESENT; BUT WE’VE A FRIEND COMING ROUND THIS EVENING TO PUT US IN THE WAY OF IT.”]

* * * * *

    “Fish, or woman, for block work; must be exp. and accustomed to best
    class trade.”—­Daily Paper.

Why not combine the two and get a mermaid?

* * * * *

    “MAN WHO WILL KEEP EYE ON POTATOES.  MR. DENNIS AS VEGETABLE AND FRUIT
    DIRECTOR.”—­The Daily Mirror.

Mr. D. need not trouble; we prefer them without eyes.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  A LEAN DAY.

Luncheon Hostess.  “I DO HOPE YOU DON’T MIND, MRS. STOKER, BUT ON WEDNESDAYS WE ONLY HAVE MEAT AT DINNER.”

Dinner Hostess.  “I DO HOPE YOU DON’T MIND, MRS. STOKER, BUT ON WEDNESDAYS WE ONLY HAVE MEAT AT LUNCHEON.”]

* * * * *

MON SOLDAT ET MON CURE.

“Donne un peu, Maman, s’il te plait,” said Jeanne eagerly.

Maman handed over the newspaper from which she had just read aloud and explained the passage so full of touching interest to them both, and Jeanne, with help at the difficult places, read out:—­

"’CITATIONS A L’ORDRE DU JOUR.

Jacques Martin, soldat au 170e d’infanterie, grenadier d’elite, au cours des combats du 26 et du 27 novembre, 1916, a, par son mepris du danger et par son ardeur, assure la progression dans un boyau defendu pas a pas par l’ennemi.

Le soldat Jacques Martin est Monsieur l’abbe Martin, cure de ——.’