e., "The pleasure
of advertising myself."
"_I should wish to keep my mind open on that subject_;" i.e., "I
cannot afford to commit myself just yet."
PARLIAMENTARY.
"_I have never heard such an astounding argument_;" i.e., "Since I
last employed it myself."
"_To come to the real question at issue_;" i.e., "To introduce my one
strong point."
"_I do not pledge myself to these figures_;" i.e., "The next speaker
will very likely show them to be absolutely unreliable."
IN THE SMOKING-ROOM.
"_Oh, as to all that, I quite agree with you_;" i.e., "I wasn't
listening."
"_I rather understood that you were arguing, &c., &c._;" i.e., "You
are now flatly contradicting yourself."
* * * * *
DISCIPLINE!
(A FARCICAL TRAGEDY, IN TWO SCENES--NOT LICENSED FOR
REPRESENTATION.)
SCENE I.--THE BARRACK SQUARE. PRESENT--NO. 1 COMPANY, AWAITING
INSPECTION.
_Captain_ (_to Subaltern_). Have you proved them?
_Subaltern_. Sorry, Sir, but the men say they know their places, and
it is useless labour.
_Capt._ Very well--I daresay they are right. You know we have been
told to be conciliatory. Open order! March! For inspection--port arms!
[Illustration]
_Sergeant_ (_stepping forward, and saluting_). Beg pardon, Sir,
but the men are under the impression that you wish to examine their
rifles?
_Capt._ Certainly. (_To Subaltern_). Take the rear rank, while I look
after the front.
_Serg._ Beg pardon, Sir, but the men haven't taken open order yet.
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