Page:My Friend Annabel Lee (1903).pdf/140

 in empty boxes all day long, and never a cigarette. In which case mine will be by far the better lot in the end," said my friend Annabel Lee, "according to the law of compensation."

"Oh, dear!" said my friend Annabel Lee, petulantly; "why do you sit there stupidly staring? Talk and amuse me, why don't you? Make me feel sweet and content."

"If I were but that myself, Annabel Lee," said I. "I can not talk interestingly, but if you like I will ask you the proverbs and you may answer them. That amused me much—and it gave me a wonderful feeling of satisfaction, quite as if I were seven years old and knew my lesson perfectly."

"You ask and I answer?" said my friend Annabel Lee. "Very good. But I don't know my lesson perfectly. Begin."