[Illustration: "_She bought a rod that afternoon_"]
[Illustration: "_Ann was brought there by a serving man_"]
At this her kind Mama relented, And, as her good Papa consented, That very day her mother wrote Her uncle quite a cordial note, Saying, "I think that it is clear Your Ann should spend your absence here" As she expected Ann quite soon, She bought a rod that afternoon. And sure enough, next Tuesday, Ann Was brought there by a serving-man. Alas! alas! it soon was plain She was not in the least like Jane! She ran and laughed and romped about, And raised a hubbub and a shout. "Oh, fie!" said Jane, "Pray, cousin Ann, Do be more tranquil if you can." But Ann just laughed, and did not care, And tweaked her cousin by the hair. When they were out she climbed a tree, Which quite annoyed the "busy Bee." "Fie, fie!" she cried. Ann said "Here goes:" And aimed an acorn at her nose! So Jane replied, "My good Mama Shall know how rude and rough you are." "Your good Mama!" said little Ann; "Well, if you want to tell, you can." She went away--went whistling too, Such a rude, boyish thing to do!
[Illustration: "_Aimed an acorn at her nose_"]
[Illustration: "'_Indeed, _indeed_, I would much rather not proceed_'"]
They went home shortly after, so Jane told Mama her tale of woe. "I do not tell this tale from choice," She said, in her most gentle voice; "I thought you ought to know, you see, How cousin Ann climbed up a tree; And when I chid in gentle fashion, She flew into a dreadful passion, And--dear Mama, indeed, _indeed_, I would much rather not proceed." But since her mother thought it best, She dutifully told the rest. --"She threw things at me, tore my hair, And _whistled_ as she left me there!" At this Mama looked grim and stern, And said that Ann had much to learn; And that she really felt unable To have such naughty girls at table. So when the others supped that day (Their stew smelt sav'ry by the way), Ann had to stand upon a seat, And did not get a thing to eat; While Jane kept slyly peeping round, And swallowed with a sucking sound. And there poor Ann was forced to stay When supper was all cleared away. Jane's good Papa began to read A very solid book indeed; Jane took her work, and sat near by, And pricked Ann's ankles on the sly.