The article accuses you of atrocities, and said that a question would shortly be put to the Minister of the Annexation Department in the House of Commons.

Now, I know that there is nothing my father enjoys more than snubbing those detestable men who endeavor to get up a reputation for philanthropy, and temperance, and bimetallism, and other virtues, by putting questions on the paper; and he could, I think, ask some counter question in this particular case that would ridicule the original busybody." "It was very good of you to think so, Miss Ayrton," said he.

"I can't say that, personally, I mind all the attacks that all the missionaries who earn precarious salaries in South Seas may make upon me; but I must confess that I have a weakness for seeing busybodies put to shame." "You may depend upon Mr.Ayrton's satire," said Ella.

"It never misses the point in the harness.

The barb of the dart is, I believe, Mr.
Ayrton's, the feather at the other end is Phyllis'." "Only once that happened," said Phyllis.