till the valentines should be read.

Dorry's was opened first. It had the picture of a pie at the
top--I ought to explain that Dorry had lately been having a siege
with the dentist.

"Little Jack Horner
Sat in his corner,
Eating his Christmas pie,
When a sudden grimace
Spread over his face,
And he began loudly to cry.

"His tender Mamma
Heard the sound from afar,
And hastened to comfort her child;
'What aileth my John?'
She inquired in a tone
Which belied her question mild.

"'Oh, Mother,' he said,
'Every tooth in my head
Jumps and aches and is loose, O my!
And it hurts me to eat
Anything that is sweet--
So what _will_ become of my pie?'

"It were vain to describe
How he roared and he cried,
And howled like a miniature tempest;