_Morrison._ Oh, yes, I know. I've felt that rapture more or less. But I would rather put it off as long As possible. I suppose you like the song Of the sweet car-gongs better than the cry Of jays and yellowhammers when the sky Begins to redden these October mornings, And the loons sound their melancholy warnings; Or honk of the wild-geese that write their A Along the horizon in the evening's gray. Or when the squirrels look down on you and bark From the nut trees-- _Wetherbee._ We have them in the Park Plenty enough. But, say, you aged sinner, Have you been out much recently at dinner? _Morrison._ What do you mean? You know there's no one here That dines except ourselves now. _Wetherbee._ Well, that's queer! I thought the natives-- But I recollect! It was not reasonable to expect-- _Morrison._ What are you driving at? _Wetherbee._ Oh, nothing much. But I was thinking how you come in touch With life at the first dinner in the fall, When you get back, first, as you can't at all Later along. But you, of course, won't care With your idyllic pleasures. _Morrison._ _Who was there?_ _Wetherbee._ Oh--ha, ha! What d'you mean by _there_? _Morrison._ Come off! _Wetherbee._ What! you remain to pray that came to scoff! _Morrison._ You know what I am after. _Wetherbee._ Yes, that dinner. Just a round dozen: Ferguson and Binner For the fine arts; Bowyer the novelist; Dr. Le Martin; the psychologist Fletcher; the English actor Philipson; The two newspaper Witkins, Bob and John; A nice Bostonian, Bane the archæologer, And a queer Russian amateur astrologer; And Father Gray, the jolly ritualist priest, And last your humble servant, but not least. The food was not so filthy, and the wine Was not so poison. We made out to dine From eight till one A.M. One could endure The dinner. But, oh say! _The talk was poor!_ Your natives down at Clamhurst-- _Morrison._ Look ye here! What date does Thanksgiving come on this year? _Wetherbee._ Why, I suppose--although I don't remember Certainly--the usual 28th November. _Morrison._ Novem-- You should have waited to get sober! It comes on the 11th of October! And that's to-morrow; and if you happen down Later, you'd better look for us in town. XVI TABLE TALK