go mad!" 

 Which shall it be, baby? Guess you at all? Only I know in the lull of the year You have said now where your choosing shall fall, Only you have not yet heard yourself, dear. 

 So, like a mocking-bird, up in the trees, I watching wondering where you have grown, Borrow a note from a birdfellow's glees, Fittest to sing you, and make it my own. 

 Only I know as I wonder, Karlene, Singing up here where you think me a star, Heaven's still above me, and some one serene Laughs in the blue sky and knows what you are. 

KARLENE.

 Good-morning, Karlene. It's a very Fine beautiful world we are in. Well, you do look as ripe as a berry; And, pardon me, such a real chin! 

  And may I--Ah, thank you; the pleasure Is mine; just one kiss by your ear!-- May I introduce myself as your Most dutiful godfather, dear? 

 I have fumed, like champagne that is fizzy, To pay my respects at your door. But the publishers keep one so busy. Forgive my not calling before! 

 Karlene, you're a very small lady To venture so far all alone; Especially into so shady A place as this planet has grown. 

 When I now, my dear, was at your age, When nobody tried to be rich, But lived on high thinking and porridge (And didn't know t' other from which!), 

 For a girl to go out unattended Was considered "not only unwise And improper--" Our grandmothers ended By lifting to heaven their eyes. 

 And yet even now, though it's shocking To slander these wonderful years, I dare say an inch of black stocking Could set all the world by the ears. 

 Black, mind you, not blue! It's a trifle; But trifling in stockings won't do; For love has an eye like a rifle (His bandage is slipping askew). 

 But there! You are simply too charming. No doubt you'll be modern enough  (Though the speed of the world is alarming) To win with a delicate bluff, 

 As we say when we're raking the chips in, On a hand that was not over strong-- But I see you are pursing your lips in; Perhaps I am prating too long. 

 Anyhow you'll be learned in isms, And talk pterodactyls in French, And know polyhedrons from prisms,-- Though you may 

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