That there should be an element of sarcasm in this remark did not even suggest itself to Eliza. "We should all be thankful," piped forth Mettie, who is always ready to talk, "that it has turned out so well. Kate's courage and independence of mind seem exactly suited to Mr. Ward. But that is what I think about us all at Belmont; our characteristics are so different that any gentleman coming amongst us might find something to attract him in one, if not in the others. Margaret is our home-bird, and Eliza is so cultured, and Kate——" The two Miss Jamiesons were looking very uncomfortable, and Margaret said, "O Mettie, dear!" while Mrs. Fielden made an excuse for walking over to the piano. There was a piece of music open upon it. "Do sing it," she said to Palestrina. THE GAY TOM-TIT. "A tom-tit lived in a tip-top tree, And a mad little, bad little bird was he. He'd bachelor tastes, but then—oh dear! He'd a gay little way with the girls, I fear! He'd bachelor tastes, but then—oh dear! He'd a gay little way with the girls, I fear! "Now, a Jenny wren lived on a branch below, And it's plain she was vain as ladies go, For she pinched her waist and she rouged a bit. With a sigh for the eye of that gay tom-tit. She sighed, 'Oh my!' She sighed, 'Ah me!' While the tom-tit sat on his tip-top tree-tree-tree. And she piped her eye A bit-bit-bit For the love of that gay tom-tit-tit-tit. For she pinched her waist and she rouged a bit. With a sigh for the eye of that gay tom-tit. She sighed, 'Oh my!' She sighed, 'Ah me!' And she piped her eye A bit-bit-bit "She saw that her rouge did not attract, So she tried to decide how next to act: She donned a stiff collar and fancy shirt, And she wore, what is more, a divided skirt. Then she bought cigarettes and a big latch-key, And she said, 'He'll be bound to notice me!' But she found her plan did not work one bit, For he sneered, as I feared, did that gay tom-tit. He sneered, 'Oh my!' He sneered, 'Oh lor! What on earth has she done that for-for-for?'
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