Cheer)

Then she rung up the servants and ordered the fish.

‘And your master, he begged me to mention his wish,
That you’d bring up the pheasant and hare.

He spake too, I think, of some prime oyster-sauce,

And a pie of wild pigeons to serve as third course.
He resolved I should daintily fare.

And a message he left which concerns one and all,

But [ll wait till I’ve dined and will then give a call—
’ Tis a message of pleasure and joy.’

Then Puss curled herself up in a snug easy-chair,

Feeling more than a monarch of all that was there,
And her happiness had no alloy.

Oh! the fish was delicious, the pheasants well dressed,

The hare was well flavoured, but the pie she confessed
Was the richest she ever had tasted.

But there’s much to be done ere the setting of sun,

So she rung up the servants when dinner was done
(O’er the dessert I fear she has hasted).

And she told them the Ogre had changed now at last,

To a handsome young fellow ; his rough ways were past,
And now they would find him grown kind.

He regrets all his follies, has made a grand change,

And requests that his matters I now would arrange,
Which I think I can do to his mind.’

Pussy left, and the servants are filled with amazement,

But they tidied the castle from attic to basement,
And all put on their holiday clothes.

Then she ran to the fields and told the same tale.

‘Now, mind you, the Marquis of Carrebas hail

(That’s the title by which he now goes).’

Then, breathless, at length she arrived at the mill,

Where her master was reading the late Farmer’s will,
And lamenting his desolate fate.