“Well, turn about is fair play,” said Nan, with fun in her eyes. “I’ll write Hester’s solo. She’s a fine Stoker for our open fire, but she can’t do much with stoves. I’ve tried her.”
“We always have open fires in England,” said Hester, “and really, girls, you don’t know how much nicer they are than your old registers and radiators.”
“Very well, my loyal Briton,” said Nan; “you shall air those national views of yours to a small but highly appreciative audience. Do you know that old tune, ‘You should see me dance the polka?’ ”
“Yes,” said Hester, laughing. “I’ve known it all my life.”
“ ’Tis well,” said Nan; “your success as a songster is assured.”
Then, amid much laughter and advice from the merry crowd, Nan achieved this masterpiece:
STOKER’S SONG
A fig for the air-tight furnace,
A fig for the shut-up stove;
They may suit the modern stoker,