"Oh, no. I don't like to do that. That might put me in an awkward position if it came out. But I find it fairly exciting on each occasion to discover what I shall have to pay for it. It is generally more expensive now than it used to be in the old days. I suppose it is the rise in the cost of living. But I am seldom satisfied, either way. If it is too cheap I naturally feel rather slighted, seeing that it was I who sent it; and if it is too dear of course I am annoyed because I have to buy it. And it fluctuates extraordinarily. I have more than once bought it in at half-a-crown and come home burning with indignation, and, if you will believe me, there was a blackguard at that big Sale of Work for the Territorials in the autumn who had the effrontery to charge me a guinea and a half. I was furious with him." "I wish you would lend it to me, Father William," said I, after a pause. "We are getting up a Jumble Sale in Little Sudbury." "No," said Father William firmly, "no. Little Sudbury is barred. The last time it was there on sale there was a very painful scene. I had arrived rather late, I remember, and I found my cushion actually being sold by auction along with a pair of worsted slippers and a woolly door mat--in one lot. I thought it showed very poor taste. Besides, it is already booked to appear six times in the next fortnight." * * * * * [Illustration: _Dear Old Lady._ "You have a picture in the window marked ten-and-six, by a Mr. Holbein. Could you tell me if that is an original painting or merely a print?"] * * * * * HAROLD NAPPING. "How stupid are the degenerate Tories who call this man [Mr. LLOYD GEORGE] a demagogue."--_Mr. BEGBIE on Mr. LLOYD GEORGE in "The Daily Chronicle," Feb. 5._ "He [Mr. Lloyd George] was, if you like, a demagogue."--_Mr. BEGBIE on Mr. BALFOUR in "The Daily Chronicle," Feb. 7._ * * * * * The Duke of SUTHERLAND, we see, values the diamond-studded gold watch and chain, of which he has just been relieved by two desperate Neapolitans, at L60. But the real question is, would the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER accept that valuation? * * * * * [Illustration: "Oh, Jockywock darling, you _must_ try and remember it's a tricycle, not a bicycle."] * * * * * WHEN BOSS EATS BOSS. According to the New York Correspondent of _The Daily Chronicle_, the publication of a letter from Mr. CROKER, formerly the great Tammany Chief, attacking his successor, Mr. MURPHY, has greatly strengthened the campaign for purifying the Administration.