PUNCH,
OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
Vol. 146.
January 7, 1914.
AMENDE DÉSHONORABLE.
Heavily dragged the night; the Year
Was passing, and the clock's slow tick
Boomed its sad message to my ear
And made me pretty sick.
"You have been slack," I told myself, "and weak;
You have done foolishly, from wilful choice;
Sloth and procrastination—" Here my voice
Broke in a squeak.
And deep repentance welled in me
As I mused darkly on my sin;
Yea, Conscience stung me, like a bee
That gets her barb well in.
"Next year," I swore, in this compunctious mood,
"I will be energetic, virtuous, kind;
Unflinching I will face the awful grind
Of being good."
I paused, half troubled by a thought—
Were my proposals too sublime?
Vowed I more deeply than I ought?
I glanced to see the time.
It was 12.10 A.M. At once a thrill,
A wave of manful resolution, sped
Through all my being. "Yes," I bravely said;
"Next year I will!"
A PLAY OF FEATURES.
[Being Sir GEORGE ALEXANDER'S production of TheAttack at the St. James's.]
SCENE—Alexandre Mérital'shouse.
ACT I.
Daniel Mérital. My father is a wonderful man.Leader of the Social Party in the Chamber of Deputies, noted amonghis colleagues for his absolute integrity, supported by themillionaire newspaper proprietor, Frépeau, whose motives,between ourselves, are not altogether above— Oh, are youthere, Father? I didn't see you. I'm just off to play tennis.
[Exit.
Enter Renée de Rould.
Renée. Mr. Mérital, may I speak to you amoment?
Georges Alexandre Mérital (with, characteristicsuavity). Certainly.
Renée, I love you. Will you marry me?
Mérital (surprised). Well, really—thisis—I—you—we—er, he, she,they—Frankly, you embarrass me. (Apologetically) Thisis my embarrassed face.
Renée. But I thought you loved me. Don't you?
Mérital. No. That is to say, yes. Orrather—
Renée (tearfully). I w-wish you could make itplainer whether you d-do love me and are pretending you don't, oryou d-don't love me and are pretending you do. It's v-veryunsettling for a young girl not to know.
Sir GEORGES ALEXANDRE (surprised and a little hurt).Can't you tell from my face?
Miss MARTHA HEDMAN. This is my first appearance inEngland, Sir GEORGES.
Sir GEORGES. True. I was forgetting. Well, when you havebeen with us a little longer, you will know that this is my facewhen I adore anyone very much, but, owing to an unfortunate episodein my past life, am forced to hide my love.
Renée (alarmed). Your past wife isn't alivesomewhere?
Mérital. Oh no, not that sort of thing at all.(Embracing her carefully<