To Mr and Mrs J. G. Roberts




La vie est vaine:
Un peu d'amour,
Un peu de haine...
Et puis--bonjour!

La vie est breve:
Un peu d'espoir,
Un peu de reve...
Et puis--bonsoir!

Leon Montenaeken


Foreword

My young friend Dennis has honoured me with a request to write
a preface to his book. I think a man can best write a preface
to his own book, provided he knows it is good. Also if he knows
it is bad.

"The Sentimental Bloke", while running through the Bulletin,
brightened up many dark days for me. He is more perfect
than any alleged "larrikin" or Bottle-O character I have ever
attempted to sketch, not even excepting my own beloved Benno.