The Member and the Soap

　　A RICH Woman having returned from abroad disembarked at the foot of

　　Knee-deep Street, and was about to walk to her hotel through the

　　mud.

　　"Madam," said a Policeman, "I cannot permit you to do that; you

　　would soil your shoes and stockings."

　　"Oh, that is of no importance, really," replied the Rich Woman,

　　with a cheerful smile.

　　"But, madam, it is needless; from the wharf1 to the hotel, as you

　　observe, extends an unbroken line of prostrate2 newspaper men who

　　crave3 the honour of having you walk upon them."

　　"In that case," she said, seating herself in a doorway4 and

　　unlocking her satchel5, "I shall have to put on my rubber boots."