The day was predestined for a readjustment of values. It began with the startling news that "Ivan the Terriblt" had kittens, augmented by the discovery that the father was) none other than "Judy O'Grady." Came a patter of little fect in the corridor, and "Uncle" (by courtesy only) was besought to "come quick," Sure enough, there were six furry mites deriving nourishment from' her who had been "Ivan the Terrible," while he who had been "Judy O'Grady" went about with an expression betokening achievement, We returned to our quarters and promptly celebrated a number of superstitious rites, The extraordinary was clearly presaged. We do not hesitate to confess to having originally named these cats, but plead that it was in circumstances: precluding the determination of baptismal data, Perhaps the reader himself knows how it is—a dear kiddies with a half-crushed_ feline' under either arm, a hasty plea f names, and an equally" hasty bestowal, regardless of their fitness, all for the sake of a ripple of happy Inughter.
'The extraordinary, we repeat, wax clearly presaged. Nor was it' long manifesting itself. the morning we were in a stale of semi-bemusement, and caught ourself wandering from the prescribed "style" of this newspaper. Tiffin time saw us in our. usual haunt, where one is assured of the is maximum of discomfort and cost in return for the minimum of quality and service. Here, a glamour like that which had obsessed us seemed to have claimed the boys. The Russian Number "One was busy with acquaintances, ar his Chinese colleague was oblivious of everything save a fly that was enjoying a ride on a ceiling fan. was at_all_ unusual, ipal daily diversions of these gentlemen.
The table boy however, acted strangely. Instead of one coming forward with the three Sacred Lists —that which may always be had, that which may be had that day only, and that which is ultra-special for the occasion, we were severely ignored. Our thoughts, in con-Sequence, reverted t8 the strange case of Ivan the Terrible and Judy O'Grady, but not for long. We b came aware that the table boys st stood about as if fascinated. Our ponderings next were concerned with a former research into the time required for different subjects, to revive from the effects of anaesthesia. This, of course, was our clue. We courteously inquired of the nearest factotum just when he might be expected' to cmerze from the chloroform. Never did question beget so strange answer.
Leisurely approaching our he announced in the who is humour ing a rst must make water then puree in ok-iks,"
Was ever mortal, patiently waiting for the Delphian Oracle to per~ form, rewarded with anything more unexpected? The pronouncement hit us squarely between the eyes. Nothing oracular about it, but that very truth which is stated always to be discoverable at the bottom of 'a well, for the reason, no doubt, that no one would dream of first making the water hot, and then putting in "ok-iks."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.