She talked of algæ—she talked of sand—
And I thought: “Tobacco you cannot stand.”
She talked of the ocean-steamer’s speed—
And I yearned for a whiff of the wicked weed.
And at last I spoke, between fright and fret:
“Would you mind if I smoked a cigarette?”
She dropped her eyes on the ocean’s blue,
And said: “Would you mind if I smoked too?”
H. C. Bunner.