That afternoon the Interpretation Committee, now increased to four active members, for Henry had insisted on coming too as referee, took up its position in the farm-yard in the form of a chain, along which communication was to pass from Henderson, through me, Sinclair and Madame Mercier to Suzanne. It was a little embarrassing for Suzanne, but she stood her ground well and waited in an admirably receptive mood, while the various items percolated through. Henderson gave me in careful detail the whole of his commands for her normal daily life, and everything seemed to go splendidly. But I am afraid the thing must have passed through too many hands before it reached its destination; for Suzanne, after many cheerful nods, suddenly broke off and turned on her heel. Then she secured an axe, which was lying against the bothy door, and walked with a steady and fixed purpose, never turning her head, out into the lane, through the gate and up the hill. We watched her spellbound till she reached the horizon, and there saw her pause, roll up her sleeves and furiously attack an old spruce tree. It is impossible to say who was to blame. But it is clear that the instructions (as the Frenchman said of BRAHMS' Variations) had been _diablement changes en route_. * * * * * INDIA: 1784-1914. The job was for us, grin and bear; We'd lit on India's dust an' drought; We knew as we were planted there, But scarcely how it came about; And so, in rough and tumble style, And nothing much to make a shout, We set our backs to graft a while, And meant to stay and stick it out. Ten hundred risky, frisky Kings, And on the whole a decent lot; And several hundred million things That trusted us with all they'd got; And so we blundered at it straight, And found the times was pretty hot; And so they smiled and called it Fate, And Fate it was, as like as not. Our law was one for great and small-- We heard 'em honest, claim for claim; We smooth'd their squabbles for 'em all, And let 'em pray by any name; And so we left enough alone, But learnt 'em plenty all the same; We show'd 'em what they should be shown, And tried to play the decent game. For all our work we've not got much? P'r'aps not: but now there's come a scrap That's got us good with lies and such, And gave 'em just the chance to snap; And fools had thought they likely would (That's German-made and rattle-trap); They'd shout--the KAISER said they should-- And, happen, wipe us off the map. From snow to sand that shout has burst, And German lies are well belied; And flood calls field for who'll be first-- They're proud to share the Empire-pride. It's them for Britain at the test; We knew they'd never stand aside; For when we tried and did our best The beggars must have known we tried. * * * * * The German Campaign of Lies.