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Soon afterward an official bulletin meaninglessly declared: "It must be noted that the time of possible exacerbation of the infection has not yet passed, and in any case progress must be slow." The vigilant and imperialist Daily Mail, which is always scenting "lurking Communists," actually printed, last week, a story about "lurking microbes" in the Royal lungs. Among Englishmen who regularly listened to radio bulletins concerning the King-Emperor's health was George V himself. During the week X-ray pictures of the King's lungs were taken, developed in a motortruck studio just outside Buckingham Palace, printed and delivered to His Majesty's physicians in 90 minutes.
From all 'round the Empire and beyond there poured into London, last week, stories of George V's solid worth, kindness, judgment, sympathy. Of these testimonials none seemed to come from a heart more full than that of one Harry Shepherd, now a Delavan, Wis., farmer, once head gamekeeper to George V.
Said Farmer Shepherd: "I went to see the King at Sandr'n'm when I was over last year and I just walked in on him in his garden. He saw me when I was a block away and came straight over.
" 'Well, Harry, I'm glad to see you again,' and he took my hand and arm with his two hands. That makes a man feel good, you know.
"He never turned out an employe even for being drunk all the time I was head gamekeeper. If they get drunk so much they can't do their work he pensions them."
Though literally thousands of distinguished persons have sent flowers, notes of sympathy or telegrams to Buckingham Palace, the only one known to have received an unquestionably personal reply from
George V last week was "Old Kate." For many a year this cheerful crippled soul has sold race track cards to the elite of England at Ascot and other famed races. Last fortnight "Old Kate" hobbled to Buckingham Palace to leave "j'st some posies f'r Tm, bless 'Im!" A smart news photographer clicked his shutter and caught Old Kate with posies. Last week the photograph was published in one of the reviews and caught the Royal eye. Though he had probably never received the poor posies George V, King and Emperor, dictated a personal note of thanks to Old Kate. It had to be handed to her on the street, since intensive research by minions failed to reveal that she has an address.
Correspondents reported with sympathy, last week, that Queen-Empress Mary had begun to show the strain of watching over His Majesty. She and Princess Mary rode out for a short drive, each day, to reassure the populace, and it was noticed that only by a perceptible effort did the Queen maintain the serene set smile which she alone seems to be able to make warm, personal, genuine. Fears that the King-Emperor was sinking redoubled when the Royal physicians* bulletined their "anxiety concerning the strength of the heart." Troubled subjects recalled that His Majesty never recovered full, robust health after his fall from a horse in 1915. Frightened, the animal reared and planted a forefoot on His Majesty's chest, partially crushing, vital organs.