good-tempered but very determined mob of well-dressed
gentlemen and cheering girls fought them back. In triumph
Churchill ended his speech by begging his hearers to give "fair
play" to the women, and to follow him in a charge upon the
barricades.

The charge was instantly made, the barricades were torn down,
and the terrified management ordered that drink be served to its
victorious patrons.

Shortly after striking this blow for the liberty of others, Churchill
organized a dinner which illustrated the direction in which at that
age his mind was working, and showed that his ambition was
already abnormal. The dinner was given to those of his friends and
acquaintances who "were under twenty-one years of age, and who
in twenty years would control the destinies of the British Empire."

As one over the age limit, or because he did not consider me an
empire-controlling force, on this great occasion, I was permitted to
be present. But except that the number of incipient empire-builders
was very great, that they were very happy, and that save the host
himself none of them took his idea seriously, I would not call it an
evening of historical interest. But the fact is interesting that of all
the boys present, as yet, the host seems to be the only one who to
any conspicuous extent is disturbing the destinies of Great Britain.
However, the others can reply that ten of the twenty years have not
yet passed.

When he was twenty-three Churchill obtained leave of absence
from his regiment, and as there was no other way open to him to