Chapter XXIX

Thirteen respectable spinsters Of the respectable town of Murch, Gave a very respectable party For their eminent orthodox church.

On a green and grassy pasture By the side of the River Runch They sat with the Reverend Quondam And partook of a dainty lunch.

None could have said they were pretty, Not even those in the "know," Yet no one denied in the city That their names were as white as the snow.

And just at the moment of eating The breast of a tender chicken, The Reverend Quondam observed The grey skies overhead thicken.

Within a neighboring farmhouse He betook his respectable form, Accompanied by all of the ladies In deadly fear of the storm.

Then lightning came and the thunder Like the crashing of seventeen earths, And in that respectable party Occurred three premature births.