Christmas Roses

A SLANDER.


SHAKE hands, shake hands my little girl,”

Said Mister Crab to Nell,

“I’m very glad to meet you dear,

I hope you are quite well.

I think it’s very hot to-day,

I feel it in my shell.”

“I can’t shake hands with you,” said Nell,

“It isn’t thought polite,

Without an introduction;

Besides, no doubt it’s spite,

It mayn’t be true, but still they do,

They do say that you—BITE.”