"MUST IT COME TO THIS?"
SCENE—The War Office. Present Mr. STANHOPE; to him enter Inspector-General PUNCH.
Mr. Stanhope. Ah, Sir, glad to see you. Can I do anything for you?
Inspector-General. Well, not for me—but you may and must do something for those I represent—the Volunteer Officers.
Mr. Stan. Oh, you have come about them, have you? Well, you saw what I said about them in my Memorandum the other day?
In.-Gen. I noticed what you did not say—you hoped during the present year to see some practical proposals.
Mr. Stan. Well, what do you want more?
In.-Gen. The proposals themselves.
Mr. Stan. They will come in good time.
In.-Gen. No time in this matter will be good—except the present.
Mr. Stan. Oh, you leave it to me, you will see it will be all right.
In.-Gen. No—unless you attend to the matter at once—now—at this moment.
Mr. Stan. How you do take me up! What a hurry you are in!
In.-Gen. Shilly-shallying to the rear—action to the front. Now, then, produce your proposals.
Mr. Stan. (reluctantly producing a paper from a pigeon-hole). Well, here they are—(giving them)—what do you think of them?
In.-Gen. (after a hurried perusal). Humph! At any rate let them he published at once, that those interested may be able to come to an immediate decision as to their utility. Do you hear, Sir? Adieu! [Exit.
(And if the SECRETARY of STATE for WAR is a wise man, he will act upon the hint thus offered him.)
