I never could remember poetry There was
only one thing I could repeat.
AMANDA. Oh, do let us have it now; and then we'll recite to you
some of our exhibition pieces.
ELIZABETH ELIZA. I'll try.
MRS. PETERKIN. Yes, Elizabeth Eliza, do what you can to help
entertain Amanda's friends.
[All stand looking at ELIZABETH ELIZA, who remains silent and
thoughtful. ] ELIZABETH ELIZA. I'm trying to think what it is
about. You all know it. You remember, Amanda,the name is
rather long.
AMANDA. It can't be Nebuchadnezzar, can it?that is one of the
longest names I know.
ELIZABETH ELIZA. O dear, no!
JULIA. Perhaps it's Cleopatra.
ELIZABETH ELIZA. It does begin with a "C"only he was a boy.
AMANDA. That's a pity, for it might be " We are seven," only
that is a girl.
Some of them were boys.
ELIZABETH ELIZA. It begins about a boyif I could only think
where he was. I can't remember.
AMANDA. Perhaps he "stood upon the burning deck?"
ELIZABETH ELIZA. That's just it; I knew he stood somewhere.
AMANDA. Casabianca! Now begingo ahead.
ELIZABETH ELIZA. "The boy stood on the burning deck,
WhenWhen"
I can't think who stood there with him JULIA. If the deck was
burning, it must have been on fire. I guess the rest ran away, or
jumped into boats.
AMANDA. That's just it: "Whence all but him had fled."
ELIZABETH ELIZA. I think I can say it now.
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