Some memory seemed to stir within his breast As though the curtain of old days were torn, And, as he drained the glass with eager zest, "Behold," I thought, "I wronged him. In that nest, So far from turmoil, full of old-world rest (He is about to tell me), he was born. "And now, before the antique spire hath fled, Because remembrance of his home is dear, He toasts it deeply." All my wrath was dead. Then the man smiled at me and wagged his head; "Junction for Little Barleythorpe," he said; "A week ago these points upset my beer." EVOE. * * * * * AN UNPLAYED MASTERPIECE. [The growing popularity of the one-Act play has prompted the aphorism that what is required in this class of drama is a "maximum of action with a minimum of explanation." Nevertheless the following effort has been rejected by every Manager in London--a fact which decisively answers the oft-repeated question, "Do Managers read plays?"] SCENE--_A luxuriously furnished room in the flat of_ Violet Hazelwood. Violet _is seated, writing. The telephone on the table rings noisily._ _Violet_ (_picking up the receiver_). Hello! Yes.... It's me.... Oh, it's Reggie.... Yes, I'm at home to you.... In three minutes?... Right, I shall be here. (_Hangs up receiver._) _Maid_ (_entering suddenly_). Sir Frank Bulkeley, m'm. (_Goes out and_ Sir Frank _enters._) _Sir Frank._ My dear Violet---- (_A report is heard and a splintering of glass._) Confound it all, I'm shot! (_Falls on floor._) _Violet._ Yes, he certainly appears to be shot. I'd better go and see the police about it. (_Goes out._) _Reggie Fortescue_ (_entering precipitately_). Violet.... (_Looking round in perplexity_). Not here! She said she would be here.... She is false to me. False! I have nothing left to live for. (_Takes out a revolver, shoots himself and falls on the floor._) _Gerald Maristowe_ (_entering cautiously through the window and carrying a rifle_). This is a devil of a risky business, this rifle practice, but Ulster must be saved somehow. I see I've broken the window. Wonder if I've done any other damage. (_Sees_ Sir Frank.) Gee! I've killed a man! (_Sees_ Reggie.) Oh, glory! I've killed two of 'em! Reggie, too, by all that's rum! I say, you know, that's pretty useful shooting.... Still, it probably means hanging, and I'm--er--hanged if I'll be hanged. Let me rather die by my own hand. (_Discharges rifle at himself, and falls on floor._) _Violet_ (_re-entering with an Inspector and a Constable_). There he is, Inspector. (_Sees_ Gerald.) My goodness, there seem to be two now! I feel sure.... (_Sees_ Reggie.) _Three!_ Really, Inspector, I feel almost certain that when I left.... Oh, it's Reggie! My heart is broken! (_Faints._)