"Some think it delightful to live in New York,
But with them I do not agree;
'Tis nothing but hustle and bustle and talk,
All very distasteful to me.
"I love all the pleasures the country can give,
The beautiful flowers and the birds;
The city produces not one of these things,
Only traffic and crowds by the herds.
"The city is good as a workshop for men,
Who in parks idle moments may pass,
But the pleasure for children e'en there is quite spoiled,
When a sign bids them 'Keep off the Grass.'"
A burst of genuine applause followed this production, and Marjorie sat down again quite covered with confusion.
"It's splendid; I couldn't have written anything half so good," whispered Betty encouragingly. "I am rather glad I am not to be a member of the Club, for I know I could never have written two lines that rhymed."
"The next poem," continued Lulu, in her business-like tone, "is by Miss Gertrude Rossiter," and Gertie, looking very much embarrassed, rose, and began:
"The Storm at Sea.
"The waves did beat on a rocky shore;
The noise resounded more and more;
A little craft was tossed on the sea,
And all knew that saved she might not be.
"The crew were gathered on the deck,
Awaiting the crash of the awful wreck;
Many hearts stopped beating as the time drew near
To bid good-bye to their children dear.
"The babies and children all did shriek,
And now their voices grew very weak.
The staunch big men grew white with fear,
At the thought of death that was so near.
"But all at once the winds did cease,
The waves stopped tossing, and there was peace,
The children stopped crying; with joy they all laughed,
And gladness prevailed on that safe little craft."
There was more applause, mingled with laughter, and Elsie whispered to Carol, quite loud enough to be heard by several others:
"Did you ever hear anything so silly? Even the meter is wrong; there are too many words in some lines, and not enough in others."
"Read yours next, Lulu," said Winifred, before her friend could make another announcement. "Lulu writes beautiful poetry," she added in a lower tone to Jack Randall; "I'm crazy to know what she's written this time."
Lulu protested that as hostess her turn should come last, but several other girls joined their entreaties to Winifred's, and she was forced to yield. Blushing and smiling, she took a sheet of paper from her pocket, and began to read: