Explore "Absence of Mind" by Oliver Herford on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
They paused just at the crossing's brink.
Said she, "We must turn back, I think. " / She eyes the mud. He sees her shrink, / Yet does not falter, / But recollects with fatal tact / That cloak upon his arm -- in fact, / Resolves to do the courtly act / Of good Sir Walter.
Why is it that she makes no sound, / Staring aghast as on the ground / He lays the cloak with bow profound? / Her utterance chokes her.
She stands as petrified, until, / Her voice regained, in accents chill / She gasps, "_I'll thank you if you will / Pick up my cloak, sir! _"