Explore "The Phantom Sister" by Ring Lardner on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
David -- he is my youngest son; / There are, you know, three others --
Appears to think it's not much fun / To only just have brothers.
He likes them all, you understand, / But there is this objection: / They don't wear pretty dresses and / They don't crave his affection.
So he has added to the fold / A little sister, "Bessie."
She's just his age -- that's three years old --
And very awful dressy.
Yet she's not vain, but seems to be / Of rather shy demeanor; / Outside of Dave, her family / Have not so much as seen her.
Which we regret, for as I say / Her clothes are awful pretty.
They come in truckloads every day / From stores in New York City.
But all the clothes and all the toys / Which David says he's bought her / Are held as the exclusive joys / Of him and my new daughter.
For them and her, we take his word; / 'Twere imbecile to flout him.
Hell has no fury like this bird / When you presume to doubt him!