[Illustration: A FATEFUL SESSION.

SITTING HEN. "GO AWAY! DON'T HURRY ME!"]

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Inquiring Lady_ (_ninety-ninth question_). "AND WHAT
ARE YOU IN THE NAVY, MAY I ASK?"

_Tar_. "I'M A FLAG-WAGGER, MARM--YES."

_Inquiring Lady_. "OH, REALLY! AND WHAT DO YOU WAG FLAGS FOR?"

_Tar_ (_in a ring-off voice_). "MAKIN' READY FOR THE PEACE
CELEBRATIONS."]

* * * * *

THE MUDLARKS.

The scene is a School of Instruction at the back of the Western Front
set in a valley of green meadows bordered by files of plumy poplars
and threaded through by a silver ribbon of water.

On the lazy afternoon breeze come the concerted yells of a bayonet
class, practising frightfulness further down the valley; also the
staccato chatter of Lewis guns punching holes in the near hill-side.

In the centre of one meadow is a turf _manège_. In the centre of the
_manège_ stands the villain of the piece, the Riding-Master.