Ladybird had paid polite attention at first, but toward the end of her aunt's speech her mind began to wander, and as Miss Priscilla finished the child said:
Now the one ambition of Priscilla Flint's early life had been to become a poetess.
Her favorite day-dream was of a beautiful volume, bound in blue and gold, that should contain poems like those of Mrs. Hemans. But though she had written many, many verses,--and indeed, had a little hair-trunk in the attic packed quite full of them,--yet she had never been able to summon sufficient courage to offer them to any publisher; and lately she had begun to think she never would, for poetry had changed since Mrs. Hemans's day, and she doubted if her efforts would stand the tests of modern editors or publishers.
But she said: "Yes, child, I have written poetry. It is a talent that runs in our family. Have you written any?"
"Oh, no, I don't write it. I just say it. Like this, you know:
"I have a dear aunt named Priscilla, Who lives in a beautiful villa; She has lovely old cups, But she can't abide pups, And she flavors her cake with vanilla.
"That's the kind I make. Of course you have to use words that rhyme, whether the sense is very good or not. I made this one too:
"There once was a lady named Biddy, Who cried because she was a widdy; When her husband fell dead, She thoughtfully said, 'He didn't live very long, did he?'
"Now tell me some of your poetry, aunty."
"You wouldn't appreciate mine, child,--you couldn't understand it."
"No, 'm; I s'pose not. But I'd love to hear it."
"Tell her 'The Sunset Star,' sister," said Miss Dorinda.
Miss Priscilla simpered a little; then, folding her hands, she recited:
"The sunset star is shining Across the meadow green; The woodbine vines are twining The trellises between;
"And every pleasant evening I watch it from afar, Romantic fancies weaving About that evening star."
"Why, aunty, that's lovely," exclaimed Ladybird: "and I _do_ understand it. I know the sunset star that comes out in the sky just as the sun goes down. Yours is more poetry than mine, but mine are funnier. Don't you think so?"
"Yes, child; but as you grow older you'll see that poetry is more important than fun."
"Yes; and then I'll learn to make verses like yours. Can you make poetry too, Aunt Dorinda?"