Proudly sang out, “I’m-a-teacher, a TEACHER;”

And Maryland Yellow-throat piped, “What a pity,

You can’t sing a sweet, old-fashioned ditty!

What a pity!”

From the wayside just then came a mocking “meow;”

“If the rest of you follow, I’ll join in the row;

“And why not now?

A fuss somehow—

Meow, meow!”

But lo! the voice softened and turned to a tune,