Not going abroad? What, to-morrow,

And to stay, goodness knows for how long?

Really, Jack, 'twould appear that dry sorrow

Had done even you, sir, a wrong.

It has? Ha, ha, ha! What a joke, sir!

Is it Mabel or Jenny or Nell?

I'm sure you are wrong,—hold my cloak, sir,—

Am I not an old friend? Come now, tell.

The prince of our set broken-hearted!

What a joke! Who rejected you? Speak!

Did you look like that, Jack, when you parted?

Was that pallor of death on your cheek?

You interest me. Tell me about it;

And let your old chum, sir, console.

Hard hit in the heart. I don't doubt it;

You were made for that sort of a rÔle.

Did you bend on your knee, like an actor,

Hardly knowing just where to begin?

Was dear mamma's consent the main factor?

What a fool the poor girl must have been!

Who was she? What!--I?—You were jealous?

O, Jack, who'd have thought such a thing?

You've been certainly not over-zealous.

But kiss me—and where is the ring?