It is a sickening business sitting on the ground opposite a man you don't like, but I had the better of it in the end, for I had sat down where the water was already frozen, and he hadn't.
Our Mr. Carfax too had an awkward incident happen to him. We were walking down the street discussing the Pay Warrant, which gives the young Army of Occupation a bonus from February 1st, and gives us nothing for doing their job until May, when suddenly a civilian passed us with a mere nod. Mr. Carfax went on with his insubordinate conversation, oblivious to the insult.
"Mr. Carfax," I said sadly, "when will you learn that private affairs must never be allowed to interfere with military duties?"
"Sir," he said, surprised and aggrieved, "though a pivotal man of some years' standing I really am taking an interest in my platoon--"
"It is not that," I said; "but do you know you allowed a civilian to pass on your side without taking his hat off?"
Scarlet with chagrin he rushed back after the offender and "hooted him up" more sternly than I could have believed possible for anybody but a Hun to the manner bred.
"I'm most awfully sorry," said the man, "but I've only just got out and didn't know about it." It transpired (as they say) that he was an Englishman who had been interned in the village for four years.
[Illustration: ["All horses selected from the Expeditionary Forces for shipment to the United Kingdom must have the letter Y clipped on the off saddle."---_Remount Regulation_.]
_Elated War-Horse (on completion of operation)_. "HOME, JOHN!"]
"Mr. ---- will play the flue obbligato for Miss ----, and none better could be found."--_Provincial Paper_.
Very kind of him, no doubt, but most of us would prefer to do without this accompaniment.
The following letter, dated March 12th, has been received from Sir ARTHUR STANLEY:--
"The completion of the Fund which Mr. Punch has raised in connection with the 'Our Day' appeal gives me the opportunity of again expressing my grateful appreciation of this splendid effort.
"The total remittances we have received from you amount to £11,040 5s. 5d., and the long list of subscribers shows how loyally and generously the readers of _Punch_ have rallied to your appeal.