shopping the other day she had
lunch in one of those West End places and she's been ill ever since. A
dish of curry. Well, I'm going to have those people's blood, and
incidentally some money too, I hope."

"I wish you joy of the experience," I said.

"I know all about that," he replied dismally; "but it's got to be done.
And I'm going through with it."

"You'll stick at nothing?" I said.

"Nothing," he replied. "If necessary--"

"I know," I said.

"What?"

"If necessary you'll take it to the House of Lords."

"Yes; but how did you know?"

"I guessed it," I replied; "but you'll be horribly congested there."

And so, I repeat, there is a busy time ahead for some of our Peers.

* * * * *

UNCLE STEVE'S FAIRY.

You've 'eard 'em tell o' fairy folk
An' all the luck they bring?
Now don't you 'eed the lies that's spoke;
_They don't do no such thing_;
You see my thumb, Sir, 'ow it's tore?
You'll say, may'ap, a badger boar
'As done it? By your leave,
An' that's a bloomin' fairy, Sir, that bit old Uncle Steve!

'Twas me an' Ebenezer Mogg
An' little Essex Jim,
The chap that's got the lurcher dog
That's cleverer than 'im,
As met to 'ave a bit o' sport
Among the covers at the Court,
Upon the strict q.t.--
That's Ebenezer, then, an' Jim, an' Toby-dog an' me.

At 'alf-past ten or so that night
We left "The Chequers'" bar;
'Twas dark, an' down the velvet 'eight
Of 'eaven fell a star;
The moon was settin' through the trees
As big an' white as 'alf a cheese,
The very best she could,
Since we 'ad got the long-net out to try the 'Ome Park wood.

We laid it 'long the cover side,
A furlong "mesh an'-pin";
We sent the lurcher rangin' wide
To drive the rabbits in;
A soft, sweet night in late July
We lay among the bracken 'igh
That 'eld the mid-day sun,
While mute an' wise ole Toby ranged enjoyin' of the fun.

But soon we 'ears the rabbits squeak,
A-kickin' in the cords,
An' gets among 'em, so to speak,
Like gentlemen an' lords;
We slips along their necks to wring,
When Mogg 'e 'oilers out, "By Jing!
Look, lads, 'ere's summut fresh--
A bloomin' fairy-airy 's got 'isself into the mesh!"

We flashed the lanthorn on to 'im;
I tell you, Sir, 'e lay
A nasty, ugly little limb,
An' yallerer than clay;
An' wicious--Ebenezer Mogg
Wanted to back 'im 'gainst