Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/60

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54
WORLDLY WISDOM.


"And you might have married
Old Gunnybag's heir.
'Tis very provoking
For me, I declare!

"And John is a fogy,
And acts like a brute,
To deny you a party
Or opera suit.

"A mean ugly fellow—"
"Why, ma, I am sure
John never was stingy,
Although he was poor.

"He is always respectful
And clever to you—
So tender and patient
Whatever I do!

"And now, I remember,
He said he would go
To the Madisons' party:
How can you talk so ?

"Poor patient old fellow!
I'm going right back;
I'll tell him I'm sorry,
And then—I'll unpack!"