"I'se sorry, boss; I sure is," he replied with diplomatic suavity;
"but I jes' cain't do it. You see, de banker on de nex' cohner an'
me--we done made a 'greement dat ef I didn't loan money he wouldn't
shine shoes, an' I jes' cain't break dat 'greement."


Diplomacy has been defined as the art of letting someone else have
your way.




DISARMAMENT


Were half the power that fills the world with terror,
Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts
Given to redeem the human mind from ERROR,
There were no need of arsenals and forts.

--_Longfellow_.


"What do you think of this disarmament idea?"

"I'm for it. If those people next door will sell their player piano,
I'll agree to have my daughter stop taking singing lessons."