GENEROSITY UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
(The Question of the Day.)
Daisy. I want to buy a Christmas present for Jack. Do you see anything you think he would like?
Violet. Here's a morocco case with seven razors, one for each day of the week.
Daisy. Lovely! But Jack's got whiskers and a beard.
Violet. So he has! Then why not this exquisite silver cigar-ash tray?
Daisy. Yes, that would be just the thing; only, unfortunately, Jack never smokes, and always walks out of the room if anybody else does.
Violet. Oh! That's awkward. This drinking-horn—what do you think of it?
Daisy (gloomily). I'm afraid Jack's a Blue Ribbonite.
Violet (after a pause). He needn't use it for drinking from. It would do for a flower-vase, if it had a stand. Anyhow, let's make haste and choose something.
Daisy. I would give him this lovely ink-bottle, only he uses a type-writer. Ah, I have it—a purse!
Violet. The question is whether Jack has it, not you.
Daisy (enthusiastically). Yes, a purse it shall be. Jack never has any money—but that is only a detail. Showy, isn't it?
Violet. Awfully pretty! Made in Germany, too, it says; that makes it so much more romantic.
Daisy (groaning). Come away! Jack's a morbid patriot. Won't look at a thing not made in England. I must choose some other day. And we shall be horribly late for lunch. Really, present-choosing isn't as easy as one thinks!
Violet. Not for Jack, at any rate!
[Exeunt hurriedly, and empty-handed.
"Charge of the Light Brigade."—My Gas Company's bill.