Their nic-nacs of domestic life beside,

Your indignation would be somewhat hot

If th' information were to be denied,

And since you'll have it so, the truth I will not hide.[4]

[4]

VIII.

You know most ladies have some slight objection,

Some strange objection which they always raise,

And arm themselves as if for the protection

Of the sweet sanctum of their earlier days,

Toward those who flatteringly speak their praise

And ask in special confidence their years,

Who pass the time in fifty pleasant ways

And designate them “charms” and “pretty dears,”

Beset with all those unimaginable fears!

IX.

Of course none of my heroines were wed;

The eldest—fancy—only twenty-two!

At least so all the neighbours' gossip said,

And they, of course, were all who really knew;

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