Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/201

 Rh   Marjory realised what was about to happen, Mabel was shouting back, to an air quite as objectionable as the one Laura was singing:

"Yah! yah!" retorted quick-witted Laura. "There isn't a rhyme in your old song. If I couldn't rhyme better'n that I'd learn how—come over and I'll teach you."

For an instant, Mabel looked decidedly crushed—no poet likes his rhymes disparaged. Laura, noting Mabel's crestfallen attitude, went into gales of mocking laughter and when Mabel looked at Marjory for sympathy Marjory's face was wreathed in smiles. It was too much; Mabel hated to be laughed at.

"I can rhyme," cried Mabel, springing to her feet and giving vent to all her grievances at once. "My table manners are good.