A Delicious Interruption

All were quite gracious in their plaudits of

Bud's Fairy; but another stir above

That murmur was occasioned by a sweet

Young lady-caller, from a neighboring street,

Who rose reluctantly to say good-night

To all the pleasant friends and the delight

Experienced,--as she had promised sure

To be back home by nine. Then paused, demure,

And wondered was it _very_ dark.--Oh, _no!_--

She had _come_ by herself and she could go

Without an _escort_. Ah, you sweet girls all!

What young gallant but comes at such a call,

Your most abject of slaves! Why, there were three

Young men, and several men of family,

Contesting for the honor--which at last

Was given to Cousin Rufus; and he cast

A kingly look behind him, as the pair

Vanished with laughter in the darkness there.

As order was restored, with everything

Suggestive, in its way, of "romancing,"

Some one observed that _now_ would be the chance

For _Noey_ to relate a circumstance

That _he_--the very specious rumor went--

Had been eye-witness of, by accident.

Noey turned pippin-crimson; then turned pale

As death; then turned to flee, without avail.--

"_There!_ head him off! _Now!_ hold him in his chair!--

Tell us the Serenade-tale, now, Noey.--_There!_"