NELLIE. Go, if you will. At once! And by express, sir! If I were you! FRANK. No, I remain. To stay and fight a duel Seems, on the whole, the proper thing to do— Ah, you are strong,-I would not then be cruel, If I were you! NELLIE. One does not like one's feelings to be doubted, FRANK. One does not like one's friends to misconstrue,— NELLIE. If I confess that I a wee-bit pouted ?— FRANK. I should admit that I was piqué, too. NELLIE. Ask me to dance. I'd say no more about it, If I were you! [Waltz-Exeunt. A DIALOGUE FROM PLATO. 103 A DIALOGUE FROM PLATO. "Le temps le mieux employé est celui qu'on perd." CLAUDE TILLIER. "D"read" three hours. Both notes and text I' Were fast a mist becoming; In bounced a vagrant bee, perplexed, And filled the room with humming, Then out. The casement's leafage sways, And, parted light, discloses Miss Di., with hat and book,—a maze Of muslin mixed with roses. n—and you?" "You 're reading Greek ?" "I am"" O, mine's a mere romancer!" "So Plato is." "Then read him-do; And I'll read mine in answer." I read. "My Plato (Plato, too,- She smiled. "My book in turn avers (No author's name is stated) That sometimes those Philosophers Are sadly mis-translated." "But hear,-the next 's in stronger style: The Cynic School asserted That two red lips which part and smile She smiled once more-" My book, I find, Of album-verse concoctors." Then I-"Why not? Ephesian law, No less than time's tradition, Enjoined fair speech on all who saw She blushed-this time. "If Plato's page No wiser precept teaches, Then I'd renounce that doubtful sage, And walk to Burnham-beeches." "Agreed," I said. "For Socrates (I find he too is talking) A DIALOGUE FROM PLATO. Thinks Learning can't remain at ease She read no more. I leapt the sill: 105 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE. POOR OOR Rose! I lift you from the street- Than you should lie for random feet, Poor pinky petals, crushed and torn! I saw you last in Edith's hair. A month-"a little month "-ago- 'Twixt you and me, my Rose, you know, But let that pass. She gave you then- |