Nervous Jelly
(Written for Charles Donnelly, Evansville, Ind.)
One day when there was company, wee greedy Lillie May,
Took the jelly nearly all when it was passed her way;
And in great haste she ate it up with her small silver spoon,
But oh, alas, the Piggiewig! she was discovered soon
By mother, who was greatly shocked to see her naughty elf
Eating like a greedy boy from off the kitchen shelf.
But mother couldn't scold aloud for fear the guest would hear,
And so she softly whispered, "Don't eat that way, my dear."
Then Mrs. Dean, the company, she patted Lillie's head,
And smiling at the jellied face, she to the culprit said,
"I've always liked the jelly good which makes my bread so sweet,
And surely it tastes better still when with a spoon we eat
This lovely, wobbling dainty, which is loved by one and all,
From little girls and tiny boys to great men, large and tall."
This speech encouraged Lillie May, who nodded her wise head
And said, "Besides dis jelly is too nervous for to spread."