I tapped the parcel that Miss Robinson's own fair hands had made up for me. "This a good issue, Sergeant?" I said. "Sound and reliable and all that?" "Couldn't be better, Sir. I had my eye on her. We only drew it ourselves lately. That's the stuff to give 'em. You can safely carry on with that, Sir ... a perfect match ... exquisite blending of colour ... those art shades are to be very fashionable this season, I assure you, Sir." Imperceptibly his hands had resumed their massage, the solicitous curve had returned to his broad shoulders, his voice was ingratiating again. "We have a large range of all the daintiest materials. I believe our charmeuse, ninons and crêpe-de-Chines to be unrivalled in town, Sir. A little damp under foot to-day, Sir, but warmer, I think--distinctly warmer. Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir, _Good_ day, Sir." And Sergeant Steel (D.C.M. and four chevrons) bowed me into the street. * * * * * [Illustration: "I DON'T THINK I CARE ABOUT THAT ONE. IT MAKES ME LOOK LIKE ONE OF THESE 'ERE SPANISH DANCERS."] * * * * * LITERARY GOSSIP. MR. WELLS has a new volume of collected Prefaces coming out this week, with an Introduction and an Epilogue by Sir HARRY JOHNSTON. It will be remembered that in _Joan and Peter_, a comparatively early work of Mr. WELLS--it was published, if our memory serves us, before the Armistice--handsome acknowledgment was made of Sir HARRY JOHNSTON'S administrative ability and high aims; and it is pleasant to know that in the long interval that has elapsed nothing has occurred to modify their mutual admiration. * * * * * The firm of Black and Green will shortly publish Lord DYSART'S monumental monograph on _China Tea: the Universal Antidote._ Lord DYSART establishes the remarkable fact that the word "dyspepsia" was practically unknown until the introduction of Indian and Ceylon tea. Mr. WELLS, who contributes an illuminating Preface, points out that the troubles of Russia are entirely due to the cutting off of the supplies of caravan tea from China (the leading Bolshevists prefer vodka to tea in any form) and the consequent recourse to inferior synthetic substitutes. The rival merits of cream, milk and lemon are carefully discussed both from the gustatory and hygienic standpoint, Mr. WELLS pronouncing in favour of lemon, in which idiosyncrasy he resembles Mr. CONRAD and Mr. GALSWORTHY. The volume is richly illustrated with pictures of rare tea-pots, tea-caddies and samovars, and contains a set of humorous verses dedicated to the author by Mr. T. LEIF JONES. * * * * *