ned with his
companion to the gate, inserted his head below one of the bars, and by a
dexterous movement displaced the latch, and the gate swung open. Then,
throwing back his head as if to say, "See how easy it is when one knows
how," he went back whilst the other entered the garden.

It was noticed by the watchers that this last had not previously been
seen within the forbidden precincts, but the one that opened the gate
for him had been particularly troublesome. The fact that he was
specially selected for the office of porter showed no little sagacity in
the would-be visitor to the garden. But, much as the cleverness of the
animals might be admired, care was taken to render its exercise useless
for the future.

RUTH LAMB.

VARIETIES

A FRENCH CONVERSATION.

Voltaire once said, "It is not clear, therefore it cannot be French."
This is only partially true, for the French language furnishes abundant
material for puns and misunderstandings, intentional or otherwise. The
following amusing instance may serve as an illustration:--

Two sportsmen met together on their way home.

"Where do you come from?" the first asked the second, who was trembling
with fright.

"I come--I come--from the forest of Bondy."

"And why are you so excited?"

"I have been attacked by robbers."

"How many were there?"

"_Sept._"

"What did you say?"

"_Je dis sept._"

"_Dix-sept?_"

"No; _sans dix_."

"_Cent dix?_"

"Oh, dear! no. _Sans dix, sept._"

"Good gracious! _Cent dix-sept?_"

"Nonsense. _Sept sans dix-sept._"

"_Sept cent dix-sept._"

"You don't understand me. _Je te dis sept sans dix!_"

"_Dix-sept cent dix._"

"You will drive me mad! _Je te dis sept sans dix-sept!_"

"_Dix-sept cent dix-sept!_ I can understand your being frightened with
such a number."

TO PRESERVE CUT FLOWERS.--An important rule in preserving cut flowers is
never to cram the vase with flowers. Many will last if only they have a
large mass of water in the vase and not too many stalks to feed on the
water and pollute it. Vases that can hold a large quantity of water are
to be preferred to the spindle-shaped trumpets that are often used. Flat
dishes covered with wet sand are also useful for short-stalked or
heavy-headed flowers; even partially-withered blooms will revive when
placed on this cool moist substance. Moss, though prettier than sand, is
to be avoided, as it soon smells disagreeably, and always interferes
with