I looked at the miniature and began to think of possible openings. One
impossible one struck me at once.

"Anyway," I said, "I'll get him to close my mouth."

* * * * *

The stars represent something quite simple this time--my brain at
work.

"Celia," I said, "I _will_ write. And this time the miniature shall be
criticised properly. To say, as you no doubt said, 'This is not like
me,' I mean not like my husband--well, you know what I mean--just to
condemn it is not enough. _I_ shall do it differently. I shall take
each feature separately and dwell upon it. But to do this modestly
I must have a _locus_--I am sorry to have to borrow from our Italian
allies again--a _locus standi_ apart from that of owner of face. I
must also be donor of miniature. Then I can comment impartially on the
present which I am preparing for you."

"I thought you'd see that soon," smiled Celia.

A.A.M.

* * * * *

[Illustration r30/075th: _Recruiting Sergeant_. "WHAT ARE YOU FOR?"

_Recruit_. "FOR THE DURATION OF THE WAR, OR LONGER IF IT DOESN'T END