His talk is idle, a surface-gleam,

The ripple on the rest of the stream,

But his thoughts—ah, his thoughts—where do

they fly,

While the wretched roses under his eye

Flutter and peep? and in what doth his plan

Turn to the counsel of Sister Anne?

For his eyes give ever a questioning look,

And the little one in her quiet nook

Flashes an answer, and back again