Recruit (speaking of his late employer). "An' 'e says to me, 'It wants a coal-hammer to knock it into your 'ead.'"
Friend. "Did 'e say that?"
Recruit. "Yes, 'e did. But I let 'im 'ave it back. I says, 'It 'ud blooming well take more than you to do it!'"
THE UNLIKELY DUKE.
The proposal, made the other day at the annual meeting of Lloyds Bank at Birmingham, that a dukedom should be conferred upon Mr. Lloyd George, in recognition of his skilful handling of the financial crisis, has aroused intense interest both in Park Lane and in the Welsh valleys.
Even among certain of the right honourable gentleman's colleagues in the Cabinet the idea meets with warm approval.
There has not yet been a meeting of Dukes to consider how to deal with any situation that may arise; but there is little doubt that their Graces are keeping a keen look-out, and it may be expected that when the time comes their plans will be found to be more or less complete.
Down in Wales there is considerable rivalry already concerning the title the Chancellor should take. A strong local committee is being formed at Criccieth to urge the claims of that delightful resort; but it may expect to receive strenuous opposition from the people of Llanpwllwynbrynogrhos, who argue that, while Mr. Lloyd George's connection with their village may be slight, it would be highly desirable that there should exist the obstacle of such a name whenever the new Duke's fellow Dukes wished to refer to him.