I was really sorry that in the bustle of embarking I lost sight of Prior and therefore could not witness the meeting between him and the Captain. It would have made me happy for the whole day. The crossing was prolonged, for we took a zig-zag course to avoid any little remembrances Fritz might have left us in the form of mines. When we were nearing land I saw Prior again. He was stretched out on a deck-chair and looked up with a ghastly smile as he caught sight of me. "Hullo, you're alone!" I said rather cruelly. "Is this the stage where the Captain goes to find the munitionnaire?" Then he spoke, but it was not in the words of the phrase-book. It was in clear, concise, unmistakable English. "Can you tell me," he asked, and behind his words lay a suggestion of quiet force of despair, "about what hour of the day or night this cursed boat is likely to get to Boolong?" * * * * * "Evens are moving rapidly in connection with the plan by the Government, announced only yesterday, to call a national industrial conference."--_Daily Paper_. We are glad the odds are not against it. * * * * * Notice in a German shop-window (British zone):-- "Jon can have jour SAFETY RAZOR BLADES reset, throug hare experient workman any System." The Germans seem to be getting over their dislike to British steel. * * * * * COMMERCIAL COMFORT. ["Mines are spottily good. Oils maintain a healthy undertone."--_Stock Exchange Report_.] O welcome message of the tape! O words of comfortable cheer! You bring us promise of escape Into a balmier atmosphere; Though Ireland with sedition boils And shrieks aloud, "Ourselves Alone"; Still mines are good in spots, and oils Maintain a healthy undertone. Though dismal Jeremiahs wail Of Bolshevists within our gates, And, though the Master of _The M**l_ In sad seclusion vegetates, The rising tide of gloom recoils Once the inspiring news is known That mines are good in spots, and oils Maintain a healthy undertone. An over-sanguine mood is wrong And ought to be severely banned; Yet spots, if good, cannot belong To the pernicious leopard brand; But no such reservation spoils The sequel; doubt is overthrown By the explicit statement, "Oils Maintain a healthy undertone." Not, you'll remark, the savage growl Of the exasperated bear, Nor the profound blood-curdling howl Of the gorilla in its lair; Nor yet the roar in civic broils That surges round a tyrant's throne-- Oh, no, the organ voice of oils Is healthy in its undertone.