flora’s album. 65 
Love-in-a-Mist. 
Nigella Damascena. ' 
TOtr PUZZLE ME. 
When of a man I ask the question, 
I wish he would answer, “ Yes,” or “ No; ” 
Nor stop to make some smooth evasion. 
And always tell me, “ May be so.” 
I always doubt the^riendly meaning 
Of, “ Well,” “ Perhaps,” “ I do not know; ” 
When for a favor I am suing, 
I rather hear the answer, — “ No.” 
When of a friend 1 wish to borrow 
A little cash, to hear him say, 
“ I’ve none to-day, but on to-morrow,” 
Is worse than if he told me “ Nay.” 
Why all this need of plastering over 
What we in feet intend to show ? 
Why not at once, with much less labor. 
Say frankly, “ Yes, my friend,” or “ No ” ? 
And when I ask that trembling question, 
“ Will you be mine, my dearest Miss ? ” 
I wish you, without hesitation, 
To say distinctly, — “ Yes, sir, yesi!' 
