"Let me explain. You recall that I told her I would try to make her comfortable, and when I found that our circumstances were going to be really straitened, I sent her my red flannel petticoat with my love, for I know she can be comfortable in that." "Of course she can." "So this afternoon when I came up from the city she got out of the train with me and I felt so half-ashamed of the gift that I pretended not to see her and hurried out to the carriage and drove quickly up the hill. She is afraid of horses, anyhow." "Always was," said George. "But, George, I don't feel quite right about it yet; the gift of a petticoat is rather stingy, isn't it?" "No, I don't think so." "And, George, to be perfectly honest with ourselves now, don't you think we are a little bit meaner than we were, say, last June?" George cleared his throat and hesitated, and then he said: "I admit nothing, excepting that the only people who are fit to have money are the people who know how to take care of it." OUR POLITE PARENTS BY CAROLYN WELLS SEDATE MAMMA When guests were present, dear little Mabel Climbed right up on the dinner-table And naughtily stood upon her head! "I wouldn't do that, dear," Mamma said. MERRY MOSES Merry, funny little Moses Burnt off both his brothers' noses; And it made them look so queer Mamma said, "Why, Moses, dear!" JOHNNY'S FUN Johnny climbed up on the bed, And hammered nails in Mamma's head. Though the child was much elated, Mamma felt quite irritated. A MERRY GAME Betty and Belinda Ames Had the pleasantest of games; 'Twas to hide from one another Marmaduke, their baby brother. Once Belinda, little love, Hid the baby in the stove; Such a joke! for little Bet Hasn't found the baby yet. TOM AND GRANDPA From his toes up to his shins Tom stuck Grandpa full of pins; Although Tom the fun enjoyed, Grandpapa was quite annoyed. BABY'S LOOKS Bobby with the nursery shears Cut off both the baby's ears; At the baby, so unsightly, Mamma raised her eyebrows slightly. JEANETTE'S PRANKS One night, Jeanette, a roguish little lass, Sneaked in the guest room and turned on the gas; When morning dawned the guest was dead in bed, But "Children will be children," Mamma said. A BALLADE OF PING-PONG BY ALDEN CHARLES NOBLE She wears a rosebud in her hair To mock me as it tosses free; Were I more wise and she less fair I fear that I should never be A victim to such witchery; For at her wiles and lovely arts I'm fain to laugh with her, while she Plays ping-pong with my heart of hearts. The play's the thing; I wonder where, What courtier with what courtesy First played it, with what lady fair, To music of what minstrelsy? I wonder did he seem to see Such eyes wherein a sunbeam starts, And did he love (as I) while she Played ping-pong with his heart of hearts?