“Which is why I venture to decline,” remarked Lana. But he was set upon it, and would not be denied; and he began a most flowery little speech with the ladies as his inspiration:

“Poetry and grace in mind and body is theirs by nature,” said he, “and they have but to open the rosy petals of their lips to enthrall us all with gems of — — ”

“Lord!” said Mrs. Bleecker, laughing, “I have never writ a verse in my life save on my sampler; and if I were to open the rosy petals of my lips, I should never have done a-giggling. But I’ll do it, Mr. Boyd, if you think it will enthrall you.”

“As for me,” quoth Angelina Lansing, “I require a workshop to manufacture my gems.