"  Dear,  will  you  promise  not  to  be  angry  if  I  tell  you
something  ?  "

"  What  is  it  ?  "

"  But  you  must  promise  not  to  be  angry  first."

"  Well,  I  won't  be  unless  you  deserve  it."

"  I've  been  appointed  an  organiser  in  the  country."

"  Is  that  all  ?    Why  should  that  make  me  angry  ?  "

"  Well,  you  see,  it  means  no  more  Saturdays  together.'

"  O,  Bernard  !    How  could  you  ?  "


AN  AMATEUR  ARMY  379

"  Dear,  I  couldn't  help  it.  Some  of  our  country  corps
are  falling  to  pieces  for  lack  of  instructors  and  I  have  to  do
my  share  to  buck  things  up."

"  But  think  of  me,  dear."

"  Indeed  I  do.  If  it  wasn't  for  you  I'd  give  my  Sundays
too."

"  O,  give  them  all  if  you  like.     Don't  mind  me."

"  Darling,  I  wish  you'd  be  reasonable  .    .    .  '

"  I  wish  you'd  be  kinder."

Deadlock.    Presently  Mabel  whimpers :

"  And  only  just  now  you  were  wondering  when  we  could
be  married.  How  can  we  ever  be  married  if  you  neglect
your  practice,  running  all  over  the  country  ?  "

"  You  make  things  very  hard  for  me,  dear."

The  joy  of  the  day  is  clouded,  but  in  the  end  there  is
reconciliation  with  kisses  .  ..
Another  day.
