XVI LETTERS TO HIS CHILDREN 417 



you would like to know what I was going along that 

 odorous street for. Well, it was to inquire how the 



2nd p. 



pen with which I am now writing — (you see it is a new- 

 fangled fountain pen, warranted to cure the worst writing 



2nd p. 

 and always spell properly) — works, because it would not 

 work properly this morning. And the nice young woman 



3rd p. 3rd p. 



who took it from me — (as who should say you old foodie !) 



4th p. 



inked her own fingers enormously (which I told her I 



4th p. 



was pleased they were her fingers rather than mine) — 



5th p. 



But she only smole. (Close by was another shop where 



6 or 7 p. n.p. 



they sold hose — (indiarubber, not knitted) — (and war- 

 ranted to let water through, not keep it out) ; and I 

 asked for a garden syringe, thinking such things likely 



to be kept by hosiers of that sort — and they said they 



n.n.p. 

 had not any, but found they had a remnant cheap (price 

 3s.) which is less than many people pay for the other 



end of pp. 



hosiers' hose) a doorpost at the side of the doorway of 

 some place of business with this remarkable notice : 



RULING GIRLS WANTED. 



Don't you think you had better apply at once ? Jack 

 will give you a character, I am sure, on the side of the 

 art of ruling, and I will speak for the science — also of 

 hereditary (on mother's side) instinct. 



Well I am not sure about the pen yet — but there is 

 no room for any more. — Ever your loving Dad. 



Epistolary composition on the model of a Gladstonian 

 speech to a deputation on women's suffrage. 



The other is to his daughter, Mrs. Harold Roller, 

 who had sent him from abroad a friend's autograph- 

 book for a signature : — 



VOL. Ill 2 E 



