nted Fiars, as was
appropriately remarked by BURNS." STEWART said he would think about
it.

_Business done._--COMPTON'S Resolution declaring position of
telegraphists unsatisfactory negatived by 142 votes against 103.

_Thursday._--"Better have a nip of something short," said JACKSON,
friendly Bottle Holder, to CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, he too in
JOKIM'S room finally revising notes for Budget Speech.

"No," said JOKIM, shaking his head, and wistfully regarding the Port
decanter; "it wouldn't do. Think of what I have to say in my speech
about the drink traffic. It's drink that has created our Surplus.
Can't help the Surplus, but must say a word in condemnation of drink.
Would never do to have me enforcing my argument with sips out of a
tumbler. Suppose, when I came to the question, 'Who drinks the rum?'
TANNER were to point to the tumbler and shout across the House, 'You
do.' Where would we be? Where would Her Majesty's Government be? No,
JACKSON, old fellow, you mean well, and a sip of Port, with or without
an egg, in course of three hours' speech, is a comfort. But it mustn't
be;" and JOKIM turned resolutely away from decanter.

JACKSON kind-hearted fellow; deeply touched at his chief's heroic
self-denial. "You leave it to me," he whispered, as they left JOKIM'S
room and strolled off to Treasury Bench.

Just before JOKIM rose to commence Budget Speech JACKSON came in
carrying tumblerful of dark liquid; might be extract of walnut,
printer's ink, anything equally innoxious. JOKIM saw it, and
recognised the '51 Port.

"JACKSON," he whispered, tremulously, "you shouldn't do it; but since
you _will_, leave the bottle on the chimbley-piece, and don't ask me
to take none, but let me put my lips to it when I am so dispoged, and
then I will do what I am engaged to do according to the best of my
ability."

No chimbley-piece handy. So JACKSON cunningly tucked away the tumbler
in among the Blue Books and papers where it innocently rested till
JOKIM, well under way with speech, and feeling round for notes upset
it; agonised glance as the ruby fluid ran over the unresponsive table
on to the heedless floor. Heartless persons opposite tittered.

[Illustration: "I hear a smile pass over the face of the Right Hon.
Gentleman."]

"I hear a smile pass over the face of the Right Hon. Gentleman," said
JOKIM, fixing glance somewhat venomously on HARCOURT. House burst
into roar of laughter. JACKSON took advantage of diversion to