(_The Question of the Day._)
_Daisy._ I want to buy a Christmas present for JACK. Do you see anything
you think he would like?
_Violet._ Here's a morocco case with seven razors, one for each day of
the week.
_Daisy._ Lovely! But JACK'S got whiskers and a beard.
_Violet._ So he has! Then why not this exquisite silver cigar-ash tray?
_Daisy._ Yes, that would be _just_ the thing; only, unfortunately, JACK
never smokes, and always walks out of the room if anybody else does.
_Violet._ Oh! That's awkward. This drinking-horn--what do you think of
_it?_
_Daisy_ (_gloomily_). I'm afraid JACK'S a Blue Ribbonite.
_Violet_ (_after a pause_). He needn't use it for drinking from. It
would do for a flower-vase, if it had a stand. Anyhow, let's make haste
and choose _something_.
_Daisy._ I would give him this lovely ink-bottle, only he uses a
type-writer. Ah, I have it--a purse!
_Violet._ The question is whether JACK has it, not you.
_Daisy_ (_enthusiastically_). Yes, a purse it shall be. JACK never has
any money--but _that_ is only a detail. Showy, isn't it?
_Violet._ Awfully pretty! Made in Germany, too, it says; _that_ makes it
so much more romantic.
_Daisy_ (_groaning_). Come away! JACK'S a _morbid_ patriot. Won't _look_
at a thing not made in England. I must choose some other day. And we
shall be horribly late for lunch. Really, present-choosing isn't as easy
as one thinks!
_Violet._ Not for JACK, at any rate!
[_Exeunt hurriedly, and empty-handed._
***
"CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE."--My Gas Company's bill.
***