`` Patience is a tired mare but she jogs on , '' said Susan . `` While the steeds of Armageddon thunder , trampling over our hearts , '' retorted Miss Oliver . `` Susan , tell me -- do n't you ever -- did n't you ever -- take spells of feeling that you must scream -- or swear -- or smash something -- just because your torture reaches a point when it becomes unbearable ? '' `` I have never sworn or desired to swear , Miss Oliver dear , but I will admit , '' said Susan , with the air of one determined to make a clean breast of it once and for all , `` that I have experienced occasions when it was a relief to do considerable banging . '' `` Do n't you think that is a kind of swearing , Susan ? What is the difference between slamming a door viciously and saying d -- '' `` Miss Oliver dear , '' interrupted Susan , desperately determined to save Gertrude from herself , if human power could do it , `` you are all tired out and unstrung -- and no wonder , teaching those obstreperous youngsters all day and coming home to bad war news . But just you go upstairs and lie down and I will bring you up a cup of hot tea and a bite of toast and very soon you will not want to slam doors or swear . '' `` Susan , you 're a good soul -- a very pearl of Susans ! But , Susan , it would be such a relief -- to say just one soft , low , little tiny d -- '' `` I will bring you a hot-water bottle for the soles of your feet , also , '' interposed Susan resolutely , `` and it would not be any relief to say that word you are thinking of , Miss Oliver , and that you may tie to . '' `` Well , I 'll try the hot-water bottle first , '' said Miss Oliver , repenting herself on teasing Susan and vanishing upstairs , to Susan 's intense relief . Susan shook her head ominously as she filled the hot-water bottle . The war was certainly relaxing the standards of behaviour woefully . Here was Miss Oliver admittedly on the point of profanity . `` We must draw the blood from her brain , '' said Susan , `` and if this bottle is not effective I will see what can be done with a mustard plaster . '' Gertrude rallied and carried on . Lord Kitchener went to Greece , whereat Susan foretold that Constantine would soon experience a change of heart . Lloyd George began to heckle the Allies regarding equipment and guns and Susan said you would hear more of Lloyd George yet . The gallant Anzacs withdrew from Gallipoli and Susan approved the step , with reservations . The siege of Kut-El-Amara began and Susan pored over maps of Mesopotamia and abused the Turks . Henry Ford started for Europe and Susan flayed him with sarcasm .
Sir John French was superseded by Sir Douglas Haig and Susan dubiously opined that it was poor policy XXXXX swap horses crossing a stream , `` though , to be sure , Haig was a good name and French had a foreign sound , say what you might . ''
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