-LESS!

_Nursery Governess._ "NOW, ETHEL, SAY YOUR GRACE, LIKE A GOOD LITTLE
GIRL!"

_Ethel._ "SHAN'T!"

_Nursery Governess._ "OH, ETHEL! DON'T YOU KNOW IT'S VERY NAUGHTY NOT
TO BE THANKFUL, AND FOR SUCH A NICE PUDDING TOO?"

_Ethel._ "I WOULD BE THANKFUL, BUT"--(_much distressed_)--"I CAN'T
FINISH IT!"]

* * * * *

THE (POLITICAL) LADY-CRICKETERS.

(_A COLLOQUY NEAR THE NETS._)

[At the meeting of the Women's Liberal Federation the
following "operative mandatory resolution" was carried:--"That
in pursuance of the resolution passed in May 1890, the
Council now instructs the Executive Committee that they shall
promote the enfranchisement of women, including the local
and parliamentary votes for all women, who possess any of the
legal qualifications enabling them to vote, among the other
Liberal reforms now before the Country, whilst not making it
a test question at the approaching Election."]

SCENE--_"At the Nets" on the St. Stephen's Cricket Ground.
"The Champion" has been practising in the interval, prior
to playing in the Great Match of the Season, "Unionists v.
Home-Rulers." Various admiring Volunteers of both sexes have
been "scouting" for him._

_First Admiring Bystander._ By Jove, that was a slashing hit! What
powder he puts into it, eh? At _his_ age too!

_Second A.B._ Oh, the Grand Old 'Un's in great form this season. Like
'tother W.G., who's just back from the Antipodes and, at forty-four,
can knock up his sixty-three in sixty-five minutes. There he goes
again, clean over all the "scouts"!

_First A.B._ Oh! he gives 'em plenty to do, "in the country." Keeps
'em on the shift, eh?

_Second A.B._ Bless you, yes. Why a hit like that, _run out_, would be
worth seven to his side-_in_ a match!

_First A.B._ (_knowingly_). Ah, but I notice that _in a match_ these
tremendous swipes don't always come off, don'tcher-know. I've seen
some tremendous sloggers at the nets make a wonderful poor show when
between wickets with a watchful "field" round 'em.

_Second A.B._ (_with candour_). Ah, quite so, of course. Everyone must
have noticed that. With a demon bowler in front of yer sending 'em
down like hundred-tonners, and a blarmed cat of a wicket-keeper on the
grab just at your back, not to mention a pouncer at point, it puzzles
the best of them to get 'em away, though "in a position of greater
freedom and less respons