


FLORA’S ALBUM. 


Love-in-a-Mist. 
Nigella Damascena, 
YOU 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.?? 
LT always doubt the friendly 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 I wish to borrow 
A little cash, to hear him say, 
“T ’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 fact 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, yes.”? 






















































