V. 



A RABBIT OF THE WORLD. 



A LITERARY Lady, sentimental as was the 

 wont of literary ladies before the incarnation 

 of the New Woman, went once to call on 

 a Great Poet, who pervaded these regions. 

 But the Great Poet was coy, says the legend, 

 and listened not to the voice of the Literary 

 Lady, charmed she never so wisely. He 

 refused to be drawn by her cunning blandish- 

 ments, but smoked on in peace, glaring 

 gruffly from his chimney corner. So at last 

 the Great Poet's wife, feeling that the situa- 

 tion grew slightly strained, endeavoured to 

 create a diversion by saying, " My dear, 

 won't you take Mrs. Gusherville to see 

 the garden ? " The Great Poet, thus 



33 D 



