The Hidden Children by Robert William Chambers Chapter 10 Page 39

of her mind, which, after all, I myself knew little of save that it was sweet and generous.

But she seemed in no manner perturbed, waiting smilingly for the noise to quiet. Then she said:

“This is a toast that our poor tyrant-ridden countrymen may dare to offer at any banquet under any flag, and under the very cannon of New York.”

She stood still, absent-eyed, thinking for a moment; then, looking up at us:

“It is really two poems in one. If you read it straight across the page as it is written, then does it seem to be a boastful, hateful Tory verse, vilifying all patriots, even His Excellency — God forgive the thought!

“But in the middle of every line