Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-25
CHAPTER Wv.

When I walked into the sitting-room
the morning following my arrival at the
cottage, l found the family already as
sembled.
1t was so nice of you to make your
plans so that your visit would fall on
Saturday. Lois said, after the morning
greetings.
''WOuldn't it be Hamlet with Hamlet
left out to make a visit to a school
marm' on any other dayY' asked, laugh
ing. "After this. the Saturday visiting
will become an absolute necessity. Ruth
is to handle the birch, too; and Miss
Douglas will doubtless be too busy a
Dame Burden to waste time on bach
elors."
What are you doing, Lesley?7 Ruth
exclaimed. Il always prepare for war and
blOOdshed' when | see Lesley make dive
into her scrap-bOok."
4 only wanted to show Robert little
poem | clipped from a magazine a few
days ago, and to ask him if itdOesn't sug-
gest Lois in every line. 1t is by BOur-
dillOn," she continued, turning over the
fragments lying loose between the pages.
.' Cliff Roses ne has called it. If l were
called upon to explain why l think of
Lois when l read the little poem l could
not begin to frame a reason; but still
do"
isn't it rather early in the day for
poetry?" Ruth suggested, timidly. ''Pm
afraid l am sinfully realistic; but, do you
know" turning her puzzled face toward
me, Il never feel quite strong enough for
appreciative listening until I'ye had my
breakfast. l am hOpelessly ignorant about
such things. Is there such thing as po-
etic hungerE
"Get Lesley to answer" Bob cried,
laughing heartily.
IF by poetic hunger you mean hun
cry for poetry, yes, my DEAR" l inter-
Tupted, smiling. ''But if you mean pO-
etically hungry l must ask permission to
keep company with you in doubling; and
together we viii submit the question to
Miss Douglas"
AT any rate" Lesley answered, smil-
ing, as she closed the scrap-bOOk and
slipped little printed scrap under her
belt; sat any rate we will not try poetry
before coffee this morning. | am anxious
to have all Of you perceive the beauty of
this little fragment, and L am not willing
to run risks
As she spoke the fOlding-doors were
drawn apart, and we walked into Lois
pretty dining-rOOm.
st was so wise of you, Lois, to do away
with the 'parlOr' idea,' l said as
wheeled Roberts chair toward the table.
"YOu certainly have mastered the art of
living prettily as well as comfortably"
''We've arisen to the luxury of a really
capable servant" Lois said, smiling her
thanks to me, while she busted herself
with the cOfee-urn. Sand she is a great
comfort"
''"Tlly Slowboy' came very near costing
me my religion Ruth sighed, dOlefully.
"The trouble l had with that young wO-
man would fill vOlume.''
"POOr Ruth" Lesley cried, laughing
merrily. What ringing, musical laugh
ii wasl poor Ruth! And she received
so little sympathy; for I2ally was in a
chronic state of cOnvulsed amusement,
The negro was a marvel of stupidity
''NOw let US have your poem, Lesley"
Bob said, after few moments. "Ruth is
a wise woman. l, for one, really feel much
more appreciative.'
Il am glad of that" she replied. her
face flushing slightly as she smoOthed out
the crumpled paper, "fOr you are the one
l most wanted to admire it."
Then in the quiet voice, which was
growing more and more restful to me, she
read:
''CLIFF ROSES"
'Pale little sister of rich, red roses"
''That is not Lois" Ruth protested. I'M
der her breath. But being reduced to ST.
Ience by a look from Bob, she suffered
Lesley to proceed without further inter
ruptiOn:
s'PaIe little sister Of rich, red roses,
Wild little sister of garden queens.
Art thou content that thy flower unclOses
Here where the land TO the ocean leans2
'sThey where the lawns are soft and shaded
Hold their court amid eyes that gaze.
Thou by the lone sea liv'st, and faded
Fall thy leaves in the salt sea sprays.
s'Smitten Of every storm that busters,
Crushed by the mimic avalanche;
Bravely still thy delicate clusters
Laugh from thicket and thorny branch.