Till her face was a sight and she couldn’t go on for the Ball.

She hadn’t bred him for England, nor looked for rewards “up above”;

He was all that she cared for on earth; and she railed at Fate

And called down a curse on those who had slain her love.

The “for England” touch she couldn’t appreciate.

But Lily, of course, was only a simple soul.

She lacked Mrs. Calhus’s exquisite self-control.


Little Houses