I can see our Anarchist, lying in his little white bed in the hospital, surrounded by his sevenpenny racing novels (with or without covers), his tins of navy-cut (some empty, some full), his fleece lining, his compass, his socks, his field-glasses, his ties, his revolver and his last month's letters (some opened, some not), all jumbled happily together, with his ragged old shaving-brush reigning proudly in the midst. I doubt if he knows he's been "mentioned," for one could never get him to take interest in any news which wasn't "sporting"; possibly he is made suspicious by the uncomfortable presence of unopened telegrams in all corners of his bed. But one thing I do hope, and that is that this bed is, at any rate, not strewn, inside and out, with unexploded hand-grenades.
[Illustration: "What do you think of the paper this morning, Sir?"]
[Illustration: "Quite time we had compulsion, eh?"]
[Illustration: "No good shutting our eyes to facts."]
[Illustration: "What we want is more energy."]
[Illustration: "Of course mistakes will happen"--]
[Illustration: "And it's no good pouring cold water on enthusiasm."]
[Illustration: "I'm hoping for that 'forward push' in the Spring."]
[Illustration: "Well, it will be a great relief when it's all over."]
[Illustration: PRUSSIAN DREAM OF PEACE IN THE SPRING.]
_From Jim Figgis, Whitty Bridge, to George Roberts, South Farm, Sudborough._
DEAR GEORGE,--I hear the remount officer is coming round your part. I have a compact little bay horse, just the sort for the Army. We must all do our bit now, so here's our chance. The Vet says the horse has laminitis in his off fore foot, but it's all my eye. Anyhow he's the useful sort they require for the Army. They wouldn't look at me if I offered him, but you can get round them. Give me fifty quid and I'll send him over.
DEAR JIM,--Yours to hand. No one can say that you're not a good patriot, and I won't be No. 2. But fifty quid for that little horse--not me. Say thirty and he's mine, sound or unsound.
_George Roberts to the Hon. Mordaunt Fopstone, White Lion Hotel, Sudborough._
DEAR SIR,--Hearing you are looking out for horses for the Army I write to say I have one or two which I shall be pleased to place at your disposal and at a very reasonable price, as in these times we must all give up something for the country. I shall be pleased to see you at any time convenient, except Tuesday, when I have to be at our local Agricultural Show.