Found naught to lure them in the shape of cloth.

No tablespread of costly linen lent

Its white disguise or figured ornament

To catch the bacon or the coffee stain.

Nor was there cup or plate of porcelain,

For empty cans, stripped of their labels, bare,

And pie tins held the same positions there.


All congregated 'round the simple spread

And ate the beans and baking powder bread,