Only think
what a sublime notion the world will have of it, when it is said that
even the great Rupert himself is afraid to let it appear.'
Elizabeth made another attempt to regain the poem, but without
effect, and Anne recalled the attention of all to Helen's verses.
'What is a pennant?' said Elizabeth; 'I do not like words to be
twisted for the sake of the rhyme.'
A flag,' said Helen.
'I never doubted that you intended it for a flag,' said Elizabeth;
'but what I complain of is, that it is a transmogrified pennon.'
'I believe a pennant to be a kind of flag,' said Helen.
'Let us refer the question to Papa,' said Anne, 'as soon as he has
finished that interminable conversation with Uncle Woodbourne.'
'Really, in spite of that slight blemish,' said Elizabeth, 'your poem
is the best we have heard, Helen.'
'And I can testify,' said Rupert, 'that the description of the cart-
horses at Dykelands is perfectly correct. But, Helen, is it true
that your friend Dicky has been seized with a fit of martial ardour
such as you describe?'
'Yes,' said Helen, 'he was very near enlisting, but it made his
mother very unhappy, and Mrs.
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