ead with a _recherche_ repast, for they were all going
to dine _a la Russe_. But the guests were sad and thoroughly bored. They
had sent a policeman after the itinerant street-musicians, with the
desired result. Inside and outside silence reigned triumphant. Was it
not a time for "moving on" and threatening "six weeks without the option
of a fine"?

Then there was a deep groan. A young man--somebody's Grandson--suggested
a round game. At first the suggestion was received with derision.

"You can't get up a Missing Word Competition," said one. "No, my
Grandson, you can't."

"Can't I?" said the youngster, who had been called 'Grandson.' "Can't I?
Look here, I will write out a Word, and I will bet you none of you will
guess it."

And "Grandson" wrote out a Word on a piece of paper, and sealed it in a
packet. Then he called out the sentence, "The present season of the year
is known as----"

Then they all tried to guess it. Some one said "unfavourable," another
"pleasant," a third "dreary," and a fourth "troublesome."

But they all were wrong.

At last the sealed-up packet was produced, and opened. For the first
time there was a smile when the Word was known.

"Who would have thought of it?" was the cry.

The word chosen was "Christmas."

"Fancy anyone remembering Christmas! Even for a Missing Word
Competition! Everything seems changing nowadays!"

But the Grandson was wrong--his Christmas bills were unchangeable. And
ever will be!

* * * * *

"ART COMPETITIONS."

"Since these competitions were started, the public had been educated
in artistic matters, and their judgment was almost equal to that of
the members of the Royal Academy."--_Mr. Poland's Speech in the
"Missing Word" case._

Mr. Poland said, at Bow Street,
Choosing pictures thus imparts
Judgment good as that of those treat-
Ed as foremost in the arts.

Hitherto each paid his shilling
At the House of Burling_ton_,
Gazed at pictures, feeble, thrilling,
Bad or good, and wandered on--

Stared with awe-struck admiration
At "the Picture of the Year,"
Gained artistic education
In a stuffy atmosphere.

Then all changed; he paid his shilling
And he sent his coupon in
To a weekly paper, willing
To discriminate the tin;

And be wisely praised or blamed, yet
He knew nothing of design,
The BRIDGE of Bow Street claimed yet
One more shillin