LAiSfD AND WATER 
November 28, 1914 
THROUGH THE EYES 
OF A WOMAN 
A Tippernry Tea 
THE self-imposed labours of the last few weeks have 
brought with them a great deal of consolation. 
It is trite and true that the mitigation of other 
people's sorrows makes us forget our own, and the 
unexpected development of some of the social 
work undertaken brings to us all kinds of adventures. 
A "Tipperary Tea" may be recommended as a sure 
solace upon blue days, though we felt anything but optimistic 
upon the first occasion when the tram carried us into a damp 
and dismal quarter of south-east London, where we were to 
make friends with the wives of soldiers and sailors. An 
ordinary room, in the care of a strong-minded lady with 
severely parted hair, was the scene of operations. We spread 
out illustrated papers upon the tables, grouped the chairs, 
arranged a writing-table, set out the tea, and waited events. 
Close at the opening hour an Irishwoman of the name of 
O'Donovan, carrying a baby, and wearing a sealskin cap well 
over one eye, made her appearance. We were so delighted 
with our first guest that we greeted her with effusion and 
soon discovered that her husband was a driver in the Army 
Service Corps who went away in the early days of August. 
There was a spontaneity about Jlrs. O'Donovan that caused 
her to tell us the whole of her career in five breathless 
minutes, but we edged her gently into a chair, pulled the 
latest " War Weekly " towards her and went to meet a very 
shy lady who could not bring herself to venture any farther 
than the doormat. Soon a third and a fourth tapped at the 
door, and at last we mustered nine, and felt sufficiently 
supported to break up the company into groups, and this 
was not as easv as one might think. The naval ladies were 
bright, well-equipped women, who had come in to see if 
they could lend a hand, and tlie military ladies were from 
every stratum of society. The whole situation was relieved 
in a moment by the introductory bars of " Tipperary." It 
was a perfect transformation, and acted like a magic. Every 
one of us recognised in it a common sentiment, for 
" Tipperary " meant the war and marching soldiers, and 
anxiety and humanity, and a hundred other things that 
require no definition. The last chord on the jingling piano 
told us that our social success Was assured. All the tongues 
let loose together, the urn announced that it was ready, and 
tea — that amazing and congenial meal — completed the 
perfect understanding between us. It was extraordinary the 
number of little problems that asked for solution. Some of 
them had to do with pay allotment and allowances, and 
these we handed over to the local secretary of the Soldiers' 
and Sailors' Families Association, one of those self-forgetful 
women who spend their days bringing happiness to the 
dingy corners of the earth. We explained how to address 
letters and post cards ; and just as one of the naval brigade 
had offered to oblige us with a solo of the " Navy " we found 
that it was closing time. 
A Christmas Party 
Apparently each of our first visitors spread the news of 
our gatherings. We had no lecture, no " few words " : it 
was just a gathering of women who carried a common burden. 
It is true that we spoke to each other quietly of the dangerous 
solace of " spirits " when we feared bad news, and we agreed 
(Continued on page 104) 
^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing 
I How to help Tommy Atkins | 
= We cannot all go out to fight, but we can S 
S all do something to help our soldiers who = 
~ are fighting our battles and defending the = 
5 honour of our native land, and in this way ^ 
S contribute to their well-being and efficiency ^ 
I SEND HIM A FLASK OF | 
I HORLICH S I 
i MALTED MILK TABLETS I 
Invaluable to a soldier 
in the field and most 
efficient in relieving 
hunger and thirst 
and preventing fatigue. 
We will send post free to any 
address a flask ofthesedelicious 
and sustaining food tablets and 
a neat vest pocket case on 
receipt of 1/6. If the man is on 
active service, be particular to 
give his name, regimental 
nuL.ber, regiment, brigade and 
division. 
of all Chemists and Stores, in con- 
venient pocl^et flasks, 1 /• each. 
Larger sizes, 1/6, 2/iB and 11/- 
Liberal Sample unl post free for 3d. in stamps. SI 
HORLICK'S MALTED MILK Co.. E 
SLOUGH, BUCKS. = 
TTTTTriiiiillillJillllllllilllllllllllJIIIIIIIIIIllllliliiiiiiiiiiiliiE 
LONDON & 
LANCASHIRE. , 
FIRE ' 
INSURANCE COMPANY 
^' LI? 
SECURITY - £5,927,293. 
FIRE. 
CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS. 
ACCIDENT, 
BURGLARY. 
MOTOR CARS. 
DOMESTIC SERVANTS. 
MARINE. 
Head OEfices 
■ I 
45, DALE STREET, LIVERPOOL. 
15S, LEADENHALL STREET, E.G. 
I02 
