"But," protested Number 3, "you told us yourself only yesterday that very few of the total possible commands _are_ in the drill-book. For instance, there is no provision for lining a railway embankment, often, I understand, a salutary and even vital evolution." The sergeant-major considered. "There's no use," he said at last weightily, "'avin' _two_ ways of doin' anything when one will do. It is generally considered that right about turn is enough ways of turning about for any one man." "By all means," admitted the recruit generously, "let us be frugal. Frugality is the mainspring of efficiency. One way of turning about is ample for me. But why right rather than left?" "Because right's right, and that's all there is to it," said the sergeant-major, who was tiring of the argument. "Exactly," admitted Number 3, "and left's left, and _that_ leaves us just where we started. Now if the War Office had tossed up and made a general decision in favour of right I could understand the position. But my impression is that this is not so. Thus, if I were to step off with the right foot----" "Shut your face," said the sergeant-major, "and do what you're told. Squad! A-bout---- Turn!" "Reasoning," observed Number 3, "is lost upon yonder survival of the old school of stereotyped militarism. The hour for initiative has arrived." And by way of protest he executed a neat left about turn. * * * * * GUNS OF VERDUN Guns of Verdun point to Metz From the plated parapets; Guns of Metz grin back again O'er the fields of fair Lorraine. Guns of Metz are long and grey Growling through a summer day; Guns of Verdun, grey and long, Boom an echo of their song. Guns of Metz to Verdun roar, "Sisters, you shall foot the score;" Guns of Verdun say to Metz, "Fear not, for we pay our debts." Guns of Metz they grumble, "When?" Guns of Verdun answer then, "Sisters, when to guard Lorraine Gunners lay you East again!" * * * * * Illustration: AT THE POST OF HONOUR. LIBERTY (_to Belgium_)--"TAKE COMFORT. YOUR COURAGE IS VINDICATED; YOUR WRONGS SHALL BE AVENGED." * * * * * ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT. (EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.) _House of Lords, Tuesday, Aug. 25._--After fortnight's recess Parliament meets again. Scene mightily changed. At time of adjournment country on brink of war. Now in thick of it. Contrary to custom interest centred in Chamber at this end of corridor. Man of the moment is the tall strongly-framed figure that enters on stroke of appointed hour and marches with soldierly step to Ministerial Bench. This is KITCHENER, Secretary of State for War, primed with message from the Army which, making its first stand at Mons, had a baptism of fire that lasted thirty-six hours.