Mrs. Merdle Ordereth the Second Course.

By Horatio Alger

Come, John, Jane, and Susan, the soup take away,

And bring in the turbot, the sheep's head and bass;

And have you got lobster and salad to-day?

And see that the celery's all right in the glass.

Now fish — Colonel Dinewell, which fish will you try?

And how shall I dress it to suit your nice taste?

For sauce to the fish is as love to the sigh,

Imperfect, it's worthless, and both prove a waste.