Biggles with Antlers, or
Get Back in the Cupboard you Pantomimetic Royal Person

To top off the tortellini at the regimental mess of the RCBforA Escadrille, here's some bally good post-prandial jocundity (with elk horns) from that other Flying Circus:

Biggles dictates a letter

Biggles: Look. (she types) Don't put that down. Just put down - wait a mo - wait a too. (puts on antlers) Now, when I've got these antlers on - when I've got these antlers on I am dictating and when I take them off (takes them off) I am not dictating.

Secretary: (types) I am not dictating.

Biggles: What? (she types; puts the antlers on) Read that back.

Secretary: Dear King Haakon, I am not dictating what?

Biggles: No, no, no, you loopy brothel inmate.

Secretary: I've had enough of this. I am not a courtesan. (moves round to front of the desk, sits on it and crosses her legs provocatively)

Biggles: Oh, oh, 'courtesan', oh aren't we grand. Harlot's not good enough for us eh? Paramour, concubine, fille de joie. That's what we are not. Well listen to me my fine fellow, you are a bit of tail, that's what you are.

Secretary: I am not, you demented fictional character.

Well that should stir 'em up at the RC Girls for A.

And who doesn't like a good bedroom scene with flying aces?

(Enter Biggles. He wears flying boots, jacket and helmet us for First World War. He meats a notice round his neck: 'Biggles'.)

Biggles: Hands off, you filthy bally froggie! (kneels by the bed)

Vera: Oh Ken, Ken Biggles!

Biggles: Yes, Algy's here as well.

Vera: Algy Braithwaite?

(Into the light comes Algy. Team streaming down his face. He wears a notice round his neck which reads: Algy's here as well'.)

Algy: That's right... Vera ... (he chokes back the tears) Oh God you know we both still bally love you.

Vera: Oh Biggles! Algy. Oh, but how wonderful!

* * *

Capt. W.E. Johns apparently was Britain's answer to Franklin W. Dixon, only with Sopwith Camels and Spads. At this Internet Biggles shrine you can find jolly good cover art and story illustrations from such books at Biggles in Borneo and Biggles Defies the Swastika.

Meantime, this gallery of children's pocket libraries will strike a nostalgic chord with Mrs P and Messrs Seal and Cusack through such titles as Circus Girl at School and Nipper at St. Frank's.

And Dismuke has some fine aeronautical tunes, including "Wait Till You Get Them Up In The Air, Boys."