As it is, it is clever, because the astute novel-reader at
once discards the real and only solution of the mystery as far too
commonplace, and this solution is _the_ one which Mr. FARJEON has
adopted. It is the expected-unexpected that happens in this case, and
the astute reader is particularly pleased with himself, because he
finishes by saying, "I knew how it would be, all along."
BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.
* * * * *
MR. PUNCH'S DICTIONARY OF PHRASES.
DURING A VISIT.
"_Pray don't move;_" i.e., "He will be a brute if he doesn't."
"_I hope I am not disturbing you;_" i.e., "I don't care the least if
I am."
"_What a delightful volume of poems your last is!_" i.e., "Haven't
read one of them; but he won't find it out."
"_So much in your new book that is interesting about those dear
Japanese;_" i.e., "Glad I happened to glance at that page."
"_Do tell me when you next lecture. Wouldn't miss it for worlds!_"
i.e., "Wild horses would not drag me there."
"So _sorry you are going. Mind you come and stay with us again_ very
_soon;_" i.e., "Unless she comes without an invitation, she is not
likely to cross _this_ threshold again."
* * * * *
INCOMPREHENSIBLE!--At the dinner given by the LORD MAYOR, a few days
since, to the representatives of Art and Literature of all nations,
a linguist, who is believed to understand seventeen languages, made a
speech in the eighteenth!
* * * * *
[Illustration: OUR COMPATRIOTS ABROAD.
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