How it was I cannot tell,

When I felt her hand in mine,

Something said, “Why not as well

Press her pretty lips to thine?”

Then I clasped one hand quite tight,—

T’other held the light, you know,—

So that Nellie, helpless quite,

Felt she couldn’t say me “No.”

But she gave a little scream,

That did ne’er the bliss deny;