Well, that was lucid enough, wasn't it? But the reply was not so
helpful as I could have wished. It opened intelligibly with the words
"Dear Sir," but continued:--

"I am directed by the Methylated Spirit Controller to inform you
that the employment of a hackney motor vehicle, not licensed to
ply for hire, as a conveyance to divine service constitutes
a breach of Regulation 8 ZZ of the Defence of the Realm
Regulations."

Not a word about the rabbits, you see.

I was so fascinated by the unexpected results of my first effort that
I tried again, this time breaking new ground.

"DEAR SIR," I wrote,--"Referring to Methylated Spirit (Motor Fuel)
Restriction Order, No. 2, 1917, am I at liberty to use my car
daily to take my children to their school, which is five miles
from my residence? The only alternative form of conveyance
available is a donkey and cart, the employment of which means
that my offspring would have to start overnight."

I received a quite polite but rather chilly answer:--

"I am directed by the Methylated Spirit Controller to inform you
that the class of necessary household affairs for which methylated
spirit may be employed as a motor fuel comprises the conveyance
from the nearest convenient source of supply of foodstuffs, fuel
and medical requisites, provided that they cannot be obtained
without undue delay by any means of conveyance other than a motor