"The L. and B. Skating Club, my lord."

"What is its object?"

"Our object, my lord?"

"No, the object of your society. I can guess your object."

The leader answered with a smile of the greatest satisfaction,—

"Er—skating, my lord."

"Your own amusement?"

The head of the deputation bowed.

"Do you want me to skate?"

"No, my lord; but we take the liberty of asking your lordship to kindly support our club with a subscription."