As who should say, "You're out," and "Does your mother?"
Their words were dry, and yet they did appear
To throw cold water upon one another!
They stood, or sat, like lumps of social stone,
Their wheel of life went round, yet no one spoke;
Or, if they did, not speeches from the thrown
From horse or gig, were more devoid of joke;
The little fire that, in the grate had grown
Dim, had a longing for a stir, or poke.
The hes were stupid, and, it might be said,