gift for remembering
just the stuff that childhood's dreams are made of--such transfigured
delights as swimming like fishes or flying in a company of birds; he
knows too the odd tags of speech that linger there from daytime, things
meaningless and full of meaning--"Rod-pole-or-perch," for example, or
that thrice-blessed word, "Popocatapetl." Best of all, he has resisted
the subtle temptation to be even momentarily too clever for his audience
(you know the devastating effect that may be produced if a grown-up
pauses on the edge of the circle and reminds the story-teller that he
has a reputation for wit). In fine, this early dream of _David's_ shows
him fortunate in having an old family friend like Mr. Benson to write it
down; also--what I must on no account forget--so sympathetic an artist
as Mr. H.J. FORD to make it into pictures.

* * * * *

Those who have learnt to value their "TAFFRAIL" will find matter very
much to their mind in his latest book, _A Little Ship_ (CHAMBERS). I
do not wish to institute any invidious comparisons between the marine
mixture as provided by "TAFFRAIL" and that of other nautical writers,
but this much I may say with perfect confidence: the men to be found in
"TAFFRAIL'S" stories are true human stuff, sturdy, dogged in doing their
duty, and brave almost beyond recklessness; but they are men all the
time, and not solemn and consecrated angels. That is, I suppose, why I
find that "TAFFRAIL'S" stories go straight to the mark and make their
effect with no undue waste of time; and, if a little bit of laughter is
occasionally worked in, so much the better. The last chapter in the book
gives an account of the Zeebrugge expedition. The story is so bravely
told that a man can hardly refrain from shouting in apprehension and
exultation as he reads it.

* * * * *

I have a grudge against the publishers of _Miss Mink's Soldier_ (HODDER
AND STOUGHTON) because they have printed on its wrapper, "By the Author
of _Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch_," which led me, perhaps foolishly,
to hope that _Mrs. Wiggs_ and I were to foregather once more, and when
we didn't made me just a little surly towards a book of short tales
which, opened with any other expectation, would have seemed much above
the average. There are eight stories in the book, and in almost all of
them is found that blend of pathos and humour that Mrs. ALICE HEGAN RICE
has taught us t