Eyes blue as the sky, cheeks with youth's ruddy glow,—

Of a beauty pure Grecian and Saxon.

"Indeed!" said the other, "that's sad to be sure;

But, ah," with a sigh, "no one guesses

The cares and anxieties mothers endure.

For though Dora appears so sedate and demure,

She spends all the money that I can secure

On her cloaks and her bonnets and dresses."

Then followed such prattle of fashion and style

I smiled as I listened and wondered,