Mr. B. So I think, Mr. Punch. What is to be done?
Mr. P. I will do my best to answer you. But just as a preliminary question, may I ask whether you insure your house, Mr. BULL?
Mr. B. Why, yes, certainly. I pay for guardianship and protection. If I did not, I should have to start fire-engines and the rest of it myself.
Mr. P. Quite so. And you find it cheaper in the long run.
Mr. B. To be sure. I have got much, too much to do to bother about the details of security from fire.
Mr. P. Again quite so. Then why don't you pay for your Army?
Mr. B. But I do, and a precious round sum too!
Mr. P. However, it is difficult to get recruits. And in England any and everything can be bought by money.
Mr. B. Pardon me, Mr. Punch, that's all nonsense. Abroad, they can get soldiers at half the price that—
Mr. P. (interrupting). Quite wrong, Mr. BULL. Soldiers are just as dear on the Continent as they are here. Only, you see, the foreigners look after the fire themselves—they become soldiers, instead of securing substitutes.