th sudden
seriousness. "From this minute on, I promise to behave," she added
solemnly, "and agree to anything you say. We'll discard 'Flow gently
sweet Hudson,' as no good, and proceed."

"How about starting 'On Majestic Hudson's Banks?'" suggested Polly.

"We can't use majestic, it's too long and grand's a horrid word." Angela
considered, frowning.

"Well, leave out the adjective and say:

"On Hudson's bank
Stands fair Seddon Hall--

"That's all right, listen, I'll play it."

They sang the words to Betty's accompaniment.

"Truth, honor and joy
Is her message to all."

Angela added inspired:

"Her daughters are loyal"--

Betty would have gone on, but Polly stopped her.

"I won't agree to that, every class song I ever heard, said exactly the
same thing," she protested. "Let's get something about happiness."

"Hardly more original." Betty laughed, but Angela interrupted.

"I know what Poll means. How's this?"

"There's no limit to"--

"Slang," Polly said abruptly.

"It isn't really."

"Yes, it is. 'Common usage often converts the most ordinary phrase into
slang or colloquialism. The writer should take care to avoid them,'"
Betty quoted. "Try limitless depth."

"All right, that's better still," Angela agreed.

"There's a limitless depth
To her bounteous store."

"Oh, marvelous!" Polly exclaimed. "What rhymes with store--paw, law,
door, war, more-- More, that's it."

"Each year she gives of--her--her-- We can't use bounty again. Give me a
word somebody."

"Riches," Betty suggested.

"Of her riches the more.

"Oh, that's perfect!"

Angela didn't exactly agree, but she didn't say so. Instead she gave
them the verse she had just composed.

"Each daughter has shared
In the wealth of her days,
United we join now
In singing her praise."

"Jemima, one of us has a brilliant mind!" Betty exclaimed. "That's too
good to forget. Wait till I find a pencil."

There was one in the pocket of her sailor suit and she wrote the words
down on the back of a sheet of music.

"Why, that's three verses," she said as she finished with a flourish.

"Let's add one more!" Polly suggested, "with Seddon Hall in it and
something about leaving like this:

"And when the time comes"--

"Yes, I know," Betty interrupted eagerly.

"When we must depart"--

"That's good, but I like each, better than we," Polly said critically.

"And when the time comes
When each must depar