They went home shortly after, so Jane told Mama her tale of woe. “I do not tell this tale from choice,” She said, in her most gentle voice; “I thought you ought to know, you see, How cousin Ann climbed up a tree; And when I chid in gentle fashion, She flew into a dreadful passion, And—dear Mama, indeed, indeed, I would much rather not proceed.” But since her mother thought it best, She dutifully told the rest. —“She threw things at me, tore my hair, And whistled as she left me there!”

‘Indeed, indeed, I would much rather not proceed’

At this Mama looked grim and stern, And said that Ann had much to learn; And that she really felt unable To have such naughty girls at table. So when the others supped that day (Their stew smelt sav’ry by the way), Ann had to stand upon a seat, And did not get a thing to eat; While Jane kept slyly peeping round, And swallowed with a sucking sound. And there poor Ann was forced to stay When supper was all cleared away. Jane’s good Papa began to read A very solid book indeed; Jane took her work, and sat near by, And pricked Ann’s ankles on the sly.

Pricked Ann’s ankles on the sly

And there in fact Ann had to wait Until the clock was striking eight, When Jane’s Mama believed it time To say that ladies never climb, But that to fall into a pet, And fight, is more disgraceful yet! Her little loving, gentle Jane Should not be treated so again. She added more. At last she said Ann might come down, and go to bed. Jane gently whispered, “Dear, you would Be happier if you were good.” Ann mutter’d “Pig!”—but no one heard Her use that most improper word.

Laughed at her look of pained surprise

It chanced that nearly every day The cousins quarrelled at their play. Good little Janie always ran And told Mama of naughty Ann; —Of how she tied Jane’s flaxen hair To the back portion of her chair, And when her cousin tried to rise, Laughed at her look of pained surprise. How she had torn Jane’s Sunday skirt, And squirted at her with a squirt! —And how another evening, she Slipped salt into Jane’s dish of tea; And many another naughty feat Did Ann perform and Jane repeat.