Here my servant broke the silence,
And said it was dinner-time!
* * * * *
I have sought, but I seek it vainly,
That great Lost Joke of mine,
Which had slipped from my mind entirely
When I sat me down to dine.

It may be that something some day
May bring it me back again;
But I only wish--confound it!--
I had fixed it with pencil or pen.
It may be that luck--bright Angel!--
May inspire me once more with that stroke,
But I fear me 'tis only in Limbo
I shall light on my great Lost Joke!

* * * * *

MRS. R., who has been busy with her juniors, tells us that she has
been horrified to learn from her Nephew, who has been fighting the
Slave-hunters on the Congo, that in that country they "preserve" the
bodies of their enemies. He writes to her--"I have 'potted' several
Arabs."

* * * * *

[Illustration: "AU REVOIR!"

SCENE--_NO. 10, DOWNING STREET. EXTERIOR._