manner that he had really copied from his father who had copied it from Mr. Rogers, although that was a secret that lay with him in his grave—and what did the Ex-Ambassador say?
He said the best way to get into Parliament is to see that you keep out of it. . . .
How very deep and subtle; quite worthy of Mr. Punch at his best, say all parents and guardians.
We can't see the point of the reply, say the dreadfully literal young ladies of Newnham and Girton.
Well, if you really can't, my dears, it is not for us to attempt to explain it.
Anyhow, that was the Ambassadorial reply; and real Tact—the genuine guaranteed article—in the person of Mistress Mary was delighted with this brilliant mot; and the real lace of Siddons immensely admired its esprit, and said quite audibly to the crochet-work antimacassar "that it was worthy of dear Dicky Milnes"; and the Ex-Ambassador, still feeling quite comfortable on the sofa, in spite of the fact that the springs were broken and that the stuffing was distributed so unevenly, thought he might just as well stay another five minutes.
There can be no doubt that the extension of the visit was entirely due to Mary's tact. And now, young ladies, let us see the use that she made of it.
"If only there would be a vacancy at Blackhamp-
