POEMS.
27
OVERHEARD IN A CONSERVATORY.
He (after a pause):
Dear, are you angry?
She:
Yes, though not at you,
But at myself. Of course, we know it's true
That when a man respects a girl . . .
He (interrupting):
I thought
You d say that. It's the nonsense girls are taught.
You know, as well as I do, I revere
You more than any other woman, dear.
She (indignantly):
You d not have done it to Elfrida Hood.
He:
Immortal gods! I shouldn't think I would.
She (haughtily):
If this but seems to you fit food for jest
I say no more. Silence were plainly best.
Dear, are you angry?
She:
Yes, though not at you,
But at myself. Of course, we know it's true
That when a man respects a girl . . .
He (interrupting):
I thought
You d say that. It's the nonsense girls are taught.
You know, as well as I do, I revere
You more than any other woman, dear.
She (indignantly):
You d not have done it to Elfrida Hood.
He:
Immortal gods! I shouldn't think I would.
She (haughtily):
If this but seems to you fit food for jest
I say no more. Silence were plainly best.
