Were her wonted dress on week-days, when she felt herself at ease.

Hats she only wore in winter, when with snow the air[942] was dim,

But her eyes peeped forth full brightly ’neath the big sou’wester’s brim.

For who thinks that a sou’wester, e’en if e’er and e’er so wide,[943]

From the boys’ admiring glances could a pretty maiden hide.

And ’tis known[944] how much attention every pretty maid annoys;

And—it was a thousand pities![945]—Thora did not like the boys;

They were either rude and noisy, or too bashful and confused;

As for loving them! No, thank you;[946] she would rather be excused!

And, besides, there were so many[947]—stout and slender, short and tall—