“What marvellous words of marvellous love,
      Speak marvellous souls like these?”
    I drew me nigh till their faintest sigh
      Was heard with the greatest ease.

    “’Oo’s ’ittle white lammy is ’oo?” breathed he;
      “’Oors.  ’Oo’s lovey-dovey is ’oo?”
    “’Oors!  ’Oors!  Would ’oo k’y if dovey should die?”
      “No’p!—­tause ’ittle lammy’d die too.”

    How truthful we poets!  The “language of Love”
      Is a phrase we employ full oft;
    But whenever we do, we prefix thereto,
      You’ve noticed, the adjective “soft.”

ILLUSTRATIONS

[Illustration:  “WE TWO TOOK POSSESSION OF THE STAIRS.” —­Page 18.]

[Illustration:  “SEE HER AT PRAYER!  HER PLEADING HANDS BEAR NOT ONE GEM OF ALL HER STORE.” —­Page 4.]

[Illustration:  “THE SUNBEAMS LIT HER GLEAMING HAIR WITH RIPPLING WAVES OF GOLDEN GLORY.” —­Page 22.]

[Illustration:  “WHAT!  GIVE UP FLIRTATION?  CHANGE DIMPLES FOR FROWNS?” —­Page 24.]

[Illustration:  “THE FEET THAT KISSED ITS PAVEMENT ARE DEEP IN COUNTRY GRASS.” —­Page 59.]

[Illustration:  “AND THE BEAUTIES WE’VE SIGHED FOR ALL SUMMER ARE HURRYING BACK TO TOWN.” —­Page 62.]

[Illustration:  “YES, JACK, THERE WAS MY BRUNETTE.” —­Page 77.]

[Illustration:  “HOW THE OLD PORTRAITS TAKE YOU BACK.” —­Page 83.]

[Illustration:  “A LADY IN SEALSKIN—­EYES OF BLUE, AND TANGLED TRESSES OF SNOW-FLECKED GOLD.” —­Page 89.]

[Illustration:  “BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO SIT ON THE RAILING—­ YOU SEE THERE IS ONLY ONE CHAIR.” —­Page 92.]

[Illustration:  “READING?  YES, BUT NOT FROM A NOVEL; FISHING!  TRULY, BUT NOT WITH A ROD.” —­Page 109.]

[Illustration:  “THE DEBUTANTES ARE IN FORCE TO-NIGHT, SWEET AS THEIR ROSES, PURE AS TRUTH.” —­Page 122.]