A Delicious Interruption

All were quite gracious in their plaudits of
Bud's Fairy; but another stir above
That murmur was occasioned by a sweet
Young lady-caller, from a neighboring street,
Who rose reluctantly to say good-night
To all the pleasant friends and the delight
Experienced, -- as she had promised sure
To be back home by nine. Then paused, demure,
And wondered was it _very_ dark. -- Oh, _no! _ --
She had _come_ by herself and she could go
Without an _escort_. Ah, you sweet girls all!

What young gallant but comes at such a call,
Your most abject of slaves! Why, there were three
Young men, and several men of family,
Contesting for the honor -- which at last
Was given to Cousin Rufus; and he cast
A kingly look behind him, as the pair
Vanished with laughter in the darkness there.

As order was restored, with everything
Suggestive, in its way, of "romancing,"

Some one observed that _now_ would be the chance
For _Noey_ to relate a circumstance
That _he_ -- the very specious rumor went --
Had been eye-witness of, by accident.

Noey turned pippin-crimson; then turned pale
As death; then turned to flee, without avail. --
"_There! _ head him off! _Now! _ hold him in his chair! --
Tell us the Serenade-tale, now, Noey. -- _There! _"

End of title

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A Delicious Interruption

James Whitcomb Riley

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