_Absentee._ "I WAS PLAYING FOOT-BA' IN THE STREET, AND THE POLICE TOOK AND
LOCKED ME UP FOR FOUR HOURS."
_Teacher._ "DID YOU GET ANYTHING TO EAT?"
_Absentee._ "AY--A HARD ROLL."
_Teacher_. "WHAT DID YOU DO WITH IT?"
_Absentee_. "PLAYED FOOT-BA'."]
* * * * *
OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.
(_By Mr. Punch's Staff of Learned Clerks._)
The title, somewhat puzzling at first, which Miss F.E. MILLS YOUNG has
given to her latest story, _The Almonds of Life_ (HODDER AND STOUGHTON),
turns out to be based upon a Chinese proverb to the effect that "almonds
came to those who have no teeth." This rather devastating sample of
philosophy (which I have put by for use against the next person who
attempts to work off upon me the adage about those who wait) forms the text
of a well-told tale of misplaced affections. As you may expect, if you know
Miss YOUNG'S former work, it is a South African story, not concerned
however with Boers and natives and the trackless veld, but with coastwise
civilization and suburban garden-parties.
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