To come along-side with his cotton umbrella.

But the shower didn’t come, and without a disaster,

They reached the huge Library—christened of Astor.

Then she shook down her skirts to their natural latitude—

Ahem’d once or twice—struck out a nice attitude—

And then she struck into this little oration,

Though I’m sure I don’t know where she learned declamation.


“Spirit, behold! these bending shelves

Are groaning ’neath the gathered store