In the end, when you got your divorce--
You were right enough there--she'd levanted
With Guelph, and you'd no other course.
What I mean is, if you'd acted squarely,
The row would have never occurred,
And for _you_ to be doing the tragic,
Strikes me as a little absurd.
As it stands, you've the best of the bargain,
And she's got a good deal the worst,
Leave it there, and--just touch the bell, will you?
You're nearest, I'm dying of thirst."

IV.
AT AFTERNOON TEA.

"'In New York!' Yes, I met her this morning.
I knew her in spite of her paint;
And Guelph, too, poor fellow, was with her;
I felt really nervous, and faint,
When he bowed to me, looking _so_ pleading--
I cut him, of course. Wouldn't you?
If I meet him alone, I'll explain it;
But knowing _her_, what could I do?
Poor fellow! He looks sadly altered--
I think it a sin, and a shame,
The way he was wrecked by that _creature_!
I _know_ he was never to blame.
He never suspected. He liked her--
He'd known her for most of his life--
And of course, it _was_ quite a temptation
To run off with another man's wife.
At his age, you know--barely thirty--
So romantic, and makes such a noise
In one's club--why, one _can't_ but excuse him,
Now _can_ one, dear? Boys will be boys.
I've known him so long--why, he'd come here
And talk to me just like a son.
It's my duty--I feel as a mother--
To save him; the thing can be done
Very easily. First, I must show him
How grossly the woman deceived
And entrapped him.--It made such a scandal
You know, that he _can't_ be received
At all, any more, till he drops her--
He'll certainly not be so mad
As to hold to her still. Oh, I know him
So well--I'm quite sure he'll be glad
On _any_ excuse, to oblige me
In a matter so trifling indeed.
Then the way will be clear. _We'll_ receive him,
And the rest will soon follow our lead.
We must keep our eyes on him more closely
Hereafter; young men of his wealth
And position are so sorely tempted
To waste time, and fortune, and health
In frivolous pleasures and pastimes,
That there's but one safe-guard in life
For them and their money--we've seen it--
A really nice girl for a wife.
Too bad you've no daughter