times. Another season of it, and I should have become a Republican.

The singer of patriotic songs is generally a stout and puffy man.
The perspiration pours from his face as the result of the violent
gesticulations with which he tells us how he stormed the fort. He
must have reached it very hot.

"There were ten to one agin us, boys." We feel that this was a
miscalculation on the enemy's part. Ten to one "agin" such wildly
gesticulating Britishers was inviting defeat.

It seems to have been a terrible battle notwithstanding. He shows us
with a real sword how it was done. Nothing could have lived within a
dozen yards of that sword. The conductor of the orchestra looks
nervous. Our fear is lest he will end by cutting off his own head.
His recollections are carrying him away. Then follows "Victory!"

The gas men and the programme sellers cheer wildly. We conclude with
the inevitable "God save the King."



CHAPTER XVI



[The Ghost and the Blind Children.]

Ghosts are in the air. It is difficult at this moment to avoid
talking of ghosts. The first question you are asked on being