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59
INCIDENT OF THE OFFICE
I was sitting and was wondering
What was business ever for,
When there came a rush of petticoats
With a flutter to the door.
What was business ever for,
When there came a rush of petticoats
With a flutter to the door.
And a lady entered, flying
In a way to make you grin
(There were steps she did not notice,
For the doorway opens in).
In a way to make you grin
(There were steps she did not notice,
For the doorway opens in).
She stopped against the stove-pipe
With a disconcerted air,
And panted, and I asked her
Had she not observed the stair?
With a disconcerted air,
And panted, and I asked her
Had she not observed the stair?
And did she come on business?
Or would she like a bun?
And she, at first, said nothing
For business she had done.
Or would she like a bun?
And she, at first, said nothing
For business she had done.
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Then, speaking very rapidly,
She answered, ‘No, indeed!
I have, in fact, no business,
But I lately chanced to read
She answered, ‘No, indeed!
I have, in fact, no business,
But I lately chanced to read
‘In the P.M.G. a poem,
And they tell me—am I right?—
You are the gifted author,
And so I thought I might—
And they tell me—am I right?—
You are the gifted author,
And so I thought I might—
‘I mean, you know, that seeing
Your name upon the door,
You would excuse my asking
Have you written any more?’
Your name upon the door,
You would excuse my asking
Have you written any more?’
Then I rose, and thundered, ‘Madam!’
And said sternly, ‘God forbid!
You are under some delusion, Madam,
Vanish!’ and she did.
And said sternly, ‘God forbid!
You are under some delusion, Madam,
Vanish!’ and she did.
And still I sit a-wondering
What was business ever for;
And I sigh for lady visitors,
But they come not any more.
What was business ever for;
And I sigh for lady visitors,
But they come not any more.
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