A Sound Thrashing

Having lost our carriage we strolled through a popular area of London. Walking the streets I marvelled at how people could cope living in such squalor. We were approached by several street urchins asking us for charity but I soon fended them off with my cane, administering a severe beating to both before placing a few pennies in their unconscious hands. Whilst I straightened my cane the Major commented 'You have to admire their resilience Colonel. Only the British can take such a sound beating and carry on'. 'Yes' I replied 'and as long as these chaps can, we will continue to extend the influence of the empire'