ohn.

"I'm sure I don't," I said.

"Well, isn't that ridiculous?" said Miss Davies.

"Of course it is," said her brother brutally; "I _knew_ it was ridiculous
from the beginning. _You_ said it quickened the mental processes. Would
memory be one of them?"

"Let's go inside and have some tea," said John.

We crept quietly indoors.

* * * * *

Halfway through tea Miss Davies suddenly waved her teaspoon aloft. We
looked at her and saw a great light shining in her eyes.

"Hip--hip--hippopotamus!" she shrieked.

We all agreed that Miss Davies had won.

* * * * *

[Illustration: "PLAY US A CHUNE, MISTER."]

* * * * *

MAGNANIMITY.

There was once a satirical pup
Who with newspaper rule was fed up,
So he wrote bitter rhymes
Which disparaged _The Times_
But were praised in its weekly _Lit. Supp._

* * * * *

"The Canadian officials refused to allow her to land because she did
not proopse to carry out her original intention tom arry Captain ----,
and the New Yorkaut horities declined to interfere with the Canadian
decision."--_Daily Paper._

But what we really want to know is where Tom and 'Arry come in.

* * * * *

"NEW YORK, Sunday.

The s.s. Minnehaha left here yesterday for London with fifty crates of
American birds and a great variety of animals.

Three trunks were carried for the oppossum to build in and for the
beavers to gnaw."--_Daily Mirror._

Nothing is said about the other creatures' luggage.

* * * * *

From the time-table of a Hampshire motor-service:--

"The Fares between any points on any route will be found where the
vertical line of figures under the name of one of the points meets the
horizontal line of figures which terminates in the name of the other of
the two points between which it is desired to travel."

The Hampshire Hog needs to be a very learned pig.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Mother._ "WELL, DARLINGS, WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING?"

_Margaret._ "WE'RE PLAYING AT WEDDINGS. I'M THE BRIDE AND BETTY'S THE
BRIDESMAID."

_Mother._ "BUT WHERE'S THE BRIDEGROOM?"

_Margaret._ "OH, THIS IS A VERY QUIET WEDDING."]

* * * * *

THE REEFS.

All the grim ro