said Clarence, "of my country—of England."     

       "What's the matter with England?"     

       "She's all right," murmured Ralph Peabody.     

       "My fallen country!" sighed Clarence, a not unmanly tear bedewing the glasses of his spectacles. "My fallen, stricken country!"     

       "That kid," said Reggie, laying down his paper, "is talking right through his hat. My dear old son, are you aware that England has never been so strong all round as she is now? Do you ever read the papers? Don't you know that we've got the Ashes and the Golf Championship, and the Wibbley-wob Championship, and the Spiropole, Spillikins, Puff-Feather, and Animal Grab Championships? Has it come to your notice that our croquet pair beat America last Thursday by eight hoops? Did you happen to hear that we won the Hop-skip-and-jump at the last Olympic Games? You've been out in the woods, old sport."     

       Clarence's heart was too full for words. He rose in silence, and quitted the room.     

       "Got the pip or something!" said Reggie. "Rum kid! I say, Hirst's bowling well! Five for twenty-three so far!"     

       Clarence wandered moodily out of the house. The Chugwaters lived in a desirable villa residence, which Mr. Chugwater had built in Essex. It was a typical Englishman's Home. Its name was Nasturtium Villa.     

       As Clarence walked down the road, the excited voice of a newspaper-boy came to him. Presently the boy turned the corner, shouting, "Ker-lapse of Surrey! Sensational bowling at the Oval!"     

       He stopped on seeing Clarence.     

       "Paper, General?"     

       Clarence shook his head. Then he uttered a startled exclamation, for his eye had fallen on the poster.     

       It ran as follows:—     

     SURREY DOING BADLY GERMAN ARMY LANDS IN ENGLAND 

  

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