The examiner said to him, 'Are you eating peppermints ?' And he said, 'No, Sir.' He told me afterwards it was quite true, because he was only sucking one.

I'm glad I wasn't asked.

I should never have thought of that, and I could have had to say 'Yes.'-- OSWALD.
-- ---------- THE WRECK OF THE 'MALABAR' By Noel (Author of 'A Dream of Ancient Ancestors.') He isn't really--but he put it in to make it seem more real.
Hark! what is that noise of rolling Waves and thunder in the air?
'Tis the death-knell of the sailors And officers and passengers of the good ship Malabar.
It was a fair and lovely noon When the good ship put out of port And people said 'ah little we think How soon she will be the elements' sport.' She was indeed a lovely sight Upon the billows with sails spread.
But the captain folded his gloomy arms, Ah--if she had been a life-boat instead! See the captain stern yet gloomy Flings his son upon a rock, Hoping that there his darling boy May escape the wreck.
Alas in vain the loud winds roared And nobody was saved.
That was the wreck of the Malabar, Then let us toll for the brave.
NOEL.
-- ---------- GARDENING NOTES It is useless to plant cherry-stones in the hope of eating the fruit, because they don't! Alice won't lend her gardening tools again, because the last time Noel left them out in the rain, and I don't like it.

He said he didn't.
-- ---------- SEEDS AND BULBS These are useful to play at shop with, until you are ready.

Not at dinner-parties, for they will not grow unless uncooked.