Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor — In the Afternoon

In the Afternoon You in the hammock; and I, near by, Was trying to read, and to swing you, too;

And the green of the sward was so kind to the eye, And the shade of the maples so cool and blue, That often I looked from the book to you To say as much, with a sigh.

You in the hammock.

The book we'd brought From the parlor--to read in the open air,-- Something of love and of Launcelot And Guinevere, I believe, was there-- But the afternoon, it was far more fair Than the poem was, I thought.

You in the hammock; and on and on I droned and droned through the rhythmic stuff-- But with always a half of my vision gone Over the top of the page--enough To caressingly gaze at you, swathed in the fluff Of your hair and your odorous lawn.

You in the hammock--And that was a year-- Fully a year ago, I guess!

-- And what do we care for their Guinevere And her Launcelot and their lordliness!

-- You in the hammock still, and--Yes-- Kiss me again, my dear!

The Rise and Fall of William Johnson (A CHRISTMAS STORY)