ile;
Yet when he does, he never runs--he's plucky!
But plays that smile of his, that flashing smile.

Sometimes when he has done a foolish thing--
Like "hoeing weeds" with our best garden hose,
Or in the rose bed "built a min'rul spring,"
He's bound to make me peevish, goodness knows!
Yet when he tries to "'splain it all" to me,
I don't succumb a moment to his guile;
I'm stern, as stern, indeed, as I can be--
Until he smiles that mother-given smile!

Perhaps he doesn't understand how strong
A weapon he possesses--Gracious me!
Disarmed by it, I can not right the wrong
By scolding him, however forcefully.
I do believe, if Fate itself were bent
On breaking him, 'twould hesitate a while
And feel ashamed!... He wins without intent
Because--God bless him!--he knows _when_ to smile.

THE GIFT OF GIFTS

If Antoinette were sitting here before the cheery blaze,
And she should ask me what I'd like to-morrow--day of days--
Would not my heart leap to my mouth, as any chap's would do,
While leaning down to her pink ear, I softly whispered, "You!"

If Antoinette were just to give me half a chance to say
What gift of gifts I'd like the best, how long would I delay
In taking her into my arms and keeping her there, too,
While earnestly I answer her with one brief, heartfelt "You!"

If Antoinette, dear Antoinette, were simply to suggest
That question, don't you think that I would quickly do the rest?
Well, you'd be wrong, because, alas! a year ago--or two--
She asked Jim what he wanted, and the lucky chap said "You!"

THE NEIGHBORS

For years and years I practiced--
Tum-tum, tum-tum, tee-tum!
Pounding up and down the scale,
White keys, black keys--
They all fell beneath my faithful hammering;
And then--my pretty neighbor across the street
Put in a player-piano that could tear a hole
Through classics that I'd never learned even to dent!
I was mad--hopping mad--
But I got even with her.
(She was studying for the operatic stage.)
I bought a phonograph--cheap--
And some records--not cheap.
They made her gargling voice
Sound like an imitation with a small i.
Then we both laughed--and quit our exercises.
To-day she's a moving picture actress,
Using her big eyes in a financially-effective way,
While I write things in prose or jingle
Or verse that is free-on-bail.
Sometimes I get by with it; and
Sometimes she doesn't spoil a film--
Isn't the public lucky that we didn't
Stick to our ca