She would then read the verse and stories published by the periodicals which had rejected her productions; and being satisfied that hers were equal in thought and literary merit, despite the rejections, persevered in her attempts, accumulating quite a collection of rejected manuscripts. Last week’s mail had brought back two poems, which scanned perfectly and which she thought quite satisfactory. She had called them—“A Questionnaire,” and “Other Little Boats.” At the foot of the printed rejection slip the reader had scribbled in an almost illegible hand: “Why not select a more cheerful subject and adopt a jazzier style—we of today would reject Milton’s Paradise Lost. M. A.” Bearing this criticism in mind, she wrote and forwarded “A Genealogy” and it was accepted. These three poems are reproduced in order that the reader may himself judge of their merit; and because to a certain extent they convey an idea of Jeannette’s mental state at the time. A Questionnaire. I. Why was not room made for thy mother in the inn? Why wert thou manger-cradled, Lord? Could not heirship From Israel’s greatest king procure for her Who bore thee, more than a pallet of straw in a stall; And for thee a cradle of fine linen and soft down? Why did not an angel whisper: “Blest inn-keeper, Give thy best, this is Christ, Son of the Living Lord? Is the world to know only its own? Thankless man, Never to practice thy teaching; or see thy star? Is he waiting for signs and wonders; believing Battalions of angels will compel him to worship? Thy birth-night, did not the heavens declare thy glory? Did not an angel choir sing thy cradle hymn? Yet to man thou remainest the carpenter’s son; Though the wise of earth waited—and prophets foretold; Lauding Bethlehem of Judah as thy birthplace. “And thou Bethlehem, Land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah, For out of thee shall come forth a ruler, Who shall be shepherd of thy people Israel.” II.