Madam the President did not call the meeting to order, the
minutes of the last meeting are unread to this day, and a motion to
adjourn never became necessary.
It had been thought wisest to keep entirely away from poetry at this
meeting, and the paper for the day, to have been read by Marcella
Eubanks, was "The Pathos of Charles Dickens." Marcella had taken unusual
pains in its preparation, bringing with her two volumes of the author
from which to read at the right moment the deaths of Little Nell and
Paul Dombey. She had practised these until she could make her voice
quaver effectively, and she had looked forward to a genuine ovation when
she sat down.
[Illustration: "WE MIGHT GET HIM TO MAKE A BARREL OF IT FOR THE
SUNDAY-SCHOOL PICNIC."]
If it is clearly understood, then, that no one thought of calling for
the paper, that even its proud author felt the hours gliding by without
any poignant regret, it should be seen that the occasion had strangely
come to be one of pure and joyous relaxation, with never an instructive
or cultured or studious moment.
There was talk of domestic concerns, sprightly town gossip, mirth, wit,
and anecdotes. Aunt Delia McCormick told her parrot story, which was
_risque_, even when no gentlemen were present, for the parrot said "damn
it!" in the course of his surprisingly human repartee under
difficulties.
Pages:
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246