Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno.djvu/177

XI] But my assets are very low:
 * My little income's overspent:

To trench on capital, you know,
 * Is always inconvenient!'

'But pay your debts!' cried honest Paul.
 * 'My gentle Peter, pay your debts!

What matter if it swallows all
 * That you describe as your "assets"?

Already you're an hour behind:
 * Yet Generosity is best.

It pinches me—but never mind!

'How good! How great!' poor Peter cried.
 * 'Yet I must sell my Sunday wig—

The scarf-pin that has been my pride—
 * My grand piano—and my pig!'

Full soon his property took wings:
 * And daily, as each treasure went,

He sighed to find the state of things
 * Grow less and less convenient.

Weeks grew to months, and months to years:
 * Peter was worn to skin and bone: