palm off a dyed cat as the long-deferred tortoise-shell, and the exit
of this animal from a world too covetous to hold it is thoroughly
sound farce. But on the whole I failed to get many of those quiet
gurgles of delight which are the best tribute one can pay to a funny
man's work.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Chairman at Farmers' Ordinary._ "NOW, GENTLEMEN, FILL
UP YOUR MATCHBOXES TO THE VERY GOOD HEALTH OF THE CATERER."]