[Illustration: IN VIEW OF THE EXAGGERATED AND MISLEADING REPORTS OF WHAT OCCURS AT THE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN MR. ASQUITH AND MR. BONAR LAW ON THE ULSTER QUESTION WE VENTURE TO THINK THAT A LITTLE MAKE-UP AND CAREFUL CHOICE OF RENDEZVOUS WOULD ENABLE THE LEADERS TO HAVE MANY A LONG CHAT ON THE SUBJECT WITHOUT ANYONE BEING AWARE OF THEIR HAVING MET.] * * * * * [Illustration: SPREAD OF THE SERVANT-GIRL GRADUATE IDEA. (_Interior of a super-kitchen._) _Mistress_. "WOULD YOU MIND LEAVING YOUR SOPHOCLES FOR A MOMENT, MARY, AND RUNNING TO THE POST?"] * * * * * TO OBEY OR NOT TO OBEY. _8th December, 1913._ Mr. and Mrs. Melbrook request the pleasure of Mr. Hugh Melbrook's company at the marriage of their daughter Muriel Irene with Mr. Adolphus Smith, at St. Peter's, Hashton, on Wednesday, December 31st, 1913, at 1.30 o'clock, and afterwards at _Westlands, Hashton_. R.S.V.P. _9th December, 1913._ Mr. Hugh Melbrook thanks Mr. and Mrs. Melbrook for the opportunity of being present at the wedding of their daughter Muriel Irene, but much regrets that, owing to great pressure of work, he cannot be there. He desires that Mr. and Mrs. Melbrook should not feel constrained to alter their present arrangements on that account. _26th December, 1913._ MESSRS. HALL, MARK & Co., Silversmiths. SIRS,--Kindly despatch at once to the address given below a seasonable wedding gift, costing no more than the amount of the enclosed postal order. I send my card for inclusion. Whatever change there may be please return it to me, and oblige Yours faithfully, H. MELBROOK. _27th December, 1913._ H. MELBROOK, ESQ. DEAR SIR,--We are in receipt of your esteemed favour of yesterday's date and beg to advise you that we have this day forwarded to the address you gave a handsome cut-glass anchovy dish with a finely-chased silver lid and tray. We enclose the receipted bill for the dish, which stands in our list at exactly the amount remitted by you. We are, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, HALL, MARK & Co. _29th December, 1913._ MY DEAR HUGH.--Thank you _very, very_ much for the sweet little butterdish. It's ripping. Do try to get down, Hugh, there's a good boy! If you can find time to choose me such a nice present--I know what you are, it must have taken you hours--surely you could take the day off for once. Say yes. In tremendous haste, and thanking you again and again, Your affectionate cousin, MURIEL. P.S.--I've just heard that Mr. Parsley, who is to marry us, is very strict about _obedient_ weddings, and I promised Geraldine I wouldn't "obey" if she didn't. Now it's my turn. Tell me something to do. _30th December, 1913._ MY GOOD MURIEL,--That's a caviare dish! Caviare dishes, I understood, were all the rage just now, and here am I slaving away to be in the fashion, and you calmly write back and say, "Thank you very much for the butt--" My good Muriel!