THE HEALING WATERS OF SPA. [It is feared that the Treaty with the Turk will not be signed in time for him to receive an invitation to join the Allies and their late enemies, towards the end of May, at the Conference to be held at Spa, where it is proposed to discuss a common scheme for the regeneration of the world.] Sweet after hopes deferred that make The stomach feel so queer, To think the Peace for which we ache May very soon be here; That, though but scarce two years have passed Since we contrived to win it, The War, if things go on so fast, May end at any minute. Yet must the pace be hotter still With less of "hum!" and "ha!" If we would have our pleasure's fill And meet the Turk at Spa; How nice if he could only come, Fresh from Armenian slaughter, And join our Mixed Symposium Over a mineral water! His ripe experience would show Just how (by Allah's grace) To make this world of sin and woe Into a better place; And, though we failed to cure at sight All ills that want allaying, At least (between the Acts) we might Together go a-Maying. O. S. * * * * * LE MONDE OU L'ON TRAVAILLE. There had been a long silence between us. We sat lunching comfortably at the Ritz, and the Spring air came pleasantly in at the open window beside us. I watched the people passing by and commented on some of them to Tony, but he seemed completely wrapped in meditation. Really it was a little aggravating. Spring always thrills me to the tips of my fingers; I had put on my very nicest clothes; we were eating the very last word in lunches, and there was a glorious atmosphere of holiday in the air; but it was all lost on Tony. Suddenly he roused himself. "It's a queer thing," he began _a propos_ of nothing, abstractedly toying with his _peche Melba_ and lapsing into thoughtful silence again. "Shouldn't be surprised," I retorted sharply. Then I looked across at him and my heart smote me. He is extraordinarily good to look upon--fair crinkled hair, Saxon colouring and blue eyes that can warm up so delightfully at moments. "What is queer, Tony?" I went on more gently, conscious that in spite of his abstraction his gaze was wandering appreciatively in my direction, so that I felt my new blouse was not entirely wasted after all. "Well, the fact is," he roused himself to start, "I've been making some _very_ interestin' experiments." "Oh!" I said, a trifle disappointed. "Yes, very interestin' indeed. You know, of course, that I've only been demobbed about six months, so there's no ghastly hurry or anythin', but I rather feel that I ought to begin to think of doin' somethin'--some business, profession sort of affair, I mean. Havin' made up my mind more or less, I thought I'd come up to town yesterday and have a talk with one or two of the fellows I know who have got jobs--get a few tips and so on."