25 AUGUST 1923, Page 15

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Old John had been

suddenly "taken bad" and the rector had been called in. After ministering to him, he came down to the kitchen and asked the wife what was the matter with her old man. "I doan't know, zur, and John 'ee doan't know, and doctor 'ee doan't know. But when 'er's dade doctor will open 'er up, awl then us'll know." But if John's innards were affected his ears were not, for the old man's voice was heard in withering irony, " Iss, but I shan't