"It's all right about Max," she said breathlessly. "Margery says the only thing he wants frightfully badly is a really smashing service. He's rather bothered about his. So I shall order one for him at once. I'm very pleased; it seems such a suitable thing for a wedding present. People often give services, don't they? And now I'll go and find Max." And she was off before I could utter a sound. But this time when she returned it was evident that she had been less successful. "It's absurd," she said, "perfectly absurd!" She stamped her foot, and yet she was smiling a little. "I told him I would bestow upon Margery anything he could possibly think of that she lacked. That any quality of mind or heart, any beauty, any charm that a girl could desire, should be hers as a gift. I assured him that there was nothing I could not and would not do for her. And what do you think? He listened quite attentively and politely--oh, Max has nice manners--and then he looked me straight in the eyes and 'Thank you very much,' he said; 'it's most awfully kind of you. I hope you won't think me ungrateful, but I'm afraid I can't help you at all. There's nothing--nothing. Margery--well, you see, Margery's perfect.' I was so annoyed with him that I came away without saying another word. And now I'm no further than I was before as regards Margery. Mortals really are very stupid. It's most vexing." She paused a minute, then suddenly she looked up and flashed a smile at me. "All the same it was rather darling of him, wasn't it?" she said. I nodded. "I wonder ...," I began. "Yes?" interjected the Queen eagerly. "... I wonder whether you could give her that, just that for always?" "What do you mean?" said the Queen. "I mean," I said slowly, "the gift of remaining perfect for ever in his eyes." The Queen looked at me thoughtfully. "He'll think I'm not giving her anything," she objected. "Never mind," I said, "she'll know." The Queen nodded. "Yes," she said meditatively, "rather nice--rather nice. Thank you very much. I'll think about it. Good-bye." She was gone. R.F. * * * * * "On Monday evening an employee of the ---- Railway Loco. Department dislocated his jaw while yawning."--_Local Paper._ It is expected that the company will disclaim liability for the accident, on the ground that he was yawning in his own time. * * * * * NEW RHYMES FOR OLD CHILDREN. THE CENTIPEDE.