"The bother is," she observed, "that what with truest economy clothes and champagne, and John, and some other things, it seems to work out at about two pounds a week more than we spend now." "That," I said cuttingly, "is at least a beginning!" However, since then I have discovered an article in another paper denouncing panic economies as unpatriotic. So we shall probably return to the old _regime_, plus John's half-crown. Even with this, it will mean a distinct saving of thirty-seven-and-six on Ursula's proposals. It is not often that one gets a chance of serving one's country on such easy terms. * * * * * Illustration: _Father_ (_who has been stung by a wasp on the back of his neck_). "I DON'T CARE IF IT'S FULL OF GERMANS, _I'M_ NOT GOING TO LOOK UP AT IT." * * * * * TO A POMPADOUR CLOCK. Bright loves and tangled flowers Adorn your china face; You beat out silver hours Within your golden case. Still rings old Time's denial Of respite in your tone, But o'er your painted dial Is built a little throne-- A throne so neat and narrow Where, heedless of your chime, Poising his gilded arrow Sits Cupid killing Time! * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. (_By Mr. Punch's Staff of Learned Clerks._) I suppose that never in the history of this nation did we harbour quite so many military experts. From the Service Clubs to the street corner their voice goes up daily in unceasing hortation. Therefore the moment seems specially apt for me to call your attention to a volume by a military man who really was expert, in other words to a new edition of PASLEY'S _Military Policy of the British Empire_ (CLOWES), brought up to date by Colonel B. E. WARD, R.E. I blush to think of the number of civilian readers to whom the name of PASLEY conveys nothing. I blush still more to reflect that I have myself only just ceased to belong to them. But, quite honestly, if you are at all concerned with the science and policy of arms (as who nowadays is not?), you will find this book of extreme interest. A few chance quotations will be enough to prove that the gallant Captain was a man who knew what he was writing about. In the year 1810, for example, he could look ahead far enough to say, "Germany may become so powerful as to act the same part in Europe which France now does." It is perhaps on the ethical side of war that he is most impressive. Fair play, we all know, is a jewel; but many of us may have secreted an uneasy suspicion that the side that practises it suffers from a certain handicap. All those unpleasant persons whose names have become so uncomfortably familiar lately--CLAUSEWITZ, BERNHARDI, and their professional crew--have so vociferously preached the gospel of Might as Right, that it is refreshing to read here such maxims as "It is an advantage in war to show moderation and justice," and "A scrupulous