And sometimes, too, when the night comes soon With a great magnificent tea-time moon, Through the nursery-window I peep and see My palace lit for a revelry; And I think I shall try to go there instead Of going to sleep in my dull small bed. But who are these In the shade of the trees That creep so slow In a stealthy row? They are Indian braves, a terrible band, Each with a tomahawk in his hand, And each has a knife _without a sheath_ Fiercely stuck in his gleaming teeth. Are the dragons awake? Are the dragons sleepers? Will they meet and scatter these crafty creepers? What ho! ... But John, who has sorely tried me, Trots up and flattens his nose beside me; Against the window he flattens it And says he can see As well as me, But never an Indian--not a bit; Not even the top of a feathered head, But only a wall and the lean-to shed. R. C. L. * * * * * IN EXTREMIS. A Nut lay dying. He was twenty-five. He had had a good time--too good--and the end was near. There was no hope, but alleviation was possible. "Is there anything," he was asked, "that you would like?" He was plucky and prepared for the worst. "Yes," he said, "I'd like to know what I've spent since I was twenty. Could that be arranged?" "Easily," they said. "Good," he replied. "Then tell me what I've spent on my bally old stomach--on food." "On food," they replied. "We find that you have spent on yourself an average of a pound a day for food. For five years that is, roughly, L1825." "Roughly?" said the Nut. "Yes. Counting one leap year, it would be L1826. But then you have entertained with some freedom, bringing the total to L3075." "Yes," said the Nut. "And what about drinks?" "We find," was the reply, "that on drinks your average has been eighteen shillings a day, or L1643 8s. 0d. in all." "Good heavens!" said the Nut. "What a noble thirst! And clothes?" "The item of clothes comes to L940," they said. "Only three figures!" said the Nut. "How did I come to save that odd L60, I wonder?" "Not by any idea of economy," they replied. "Merely a want of time." "And let's see," said the Nut, "what else does one spend money on? Oh, yes, taxis. How much for taxis?" "Your taxis," they said, "work out at seven shillings a day, or L639 2s. 0d." "And tips?" the Nut inquired. "Tips," they said, "come to L456." The Nut lay back exhausted and oxygen was administered. He was very near the end. "One thing more," he managed to ask. "What have I paid in cloak-room fees for my hat and stick?" "Only L150," they said. But it was enough: he fell back dead. * * * * * "An extremely able statement of the case for Federation is made up in a little book by Mr. Murray Macdonald and Lord Charnwood, which is just published (T. Fisher Unwin, 22s. 6d.)"--_Daily News._ Look out for a really big book by the same authors, at L22.