Henry’s Sagacity

(She.)

“Dear Henry: I have spent my all,

So I will have to leave

Here and return to the town, if I

Don’t a check soon receive.

The hotel’s rather dull just now,

Not many people here;

So if you’re anxious for me there

Please send the check, my dear.”

(He.)

“Dear Mabel: I have paid for coal,

And many things like that;

And though I want to see you much,

My pocketbook is flat.

If you could stay another week,

Until I get my pay,

I then will forward you the check

Without a tick’s delay.”

(She, arriving)

“You had some other reasons, sir,

For wishing me to stay;

And when I got that note of yours,

 I hurried right away.

Why is it, sir, you wished to keep

Me in the country, speak?

Why is it, sir, you wished to be

Alone another week?

Then Henry looked her o’er and o’er,

With love-light in his eyes,

And said, “Why dear, I knew you’d come

This isn’t a surprise.

If I had sent the money, dear,

You would have stayed and stayed;

The only way to get you home

Was play the game I played!”

Aug. 11, 1910