We learn how to write Greek odes to moral abstractions." "What a dreadful thing to do!" exclaimed Mrs.Goddard.
"Do you think so?
I do not know.

Now, for instance, I have written a great many Greek odes to you--" "To me ?" interrupted his companion in surprise.
"Do you think it is so very extraordinary ?" "Very." "Well--you see--I only saw you once--you won't laugh ?" "No," said Mrs.Goddard, who was very much amused, and was beginning to think that John Short was the most original young man she had ever met.
"I only saw you once, when you came to the vicarage, and I had not the least idea what your name was.

But I--I hoped you would come back; and so I used to write poems to you.

They were very good, too," added John in a meditative tone, "I have never written any nearly so good as they were." "Really ?" Mrs.Goddard looked at him rather incredulously and then laughed.
"You said you would not laugh," objected John.
"I cannot help it in the least," said she.

"It seems so funny." "It did not seem funny to me, I can assure you," replied John rather warmly.