HER hair was beautifully white br Beneath her bonnet, black as night, br Which, plainly of New England kin, br Was tied with strings beneath her chin. br And when she spoke I had no choice br But listened to that soft crisp voice; br And when she smiled, I saw the truth, br She had been lovely in her youth, br And with those quick, observing eyes, br Was charming still to all the wise. br And still, in spite of bonnet strings, br She thought keen, quaint, amusing things, br With gaiety that many hold br Remarkable in one so old. br br We talked ten minutes in a train, br And when we came to part again, br Good-bye, enjoy yourself,' said she, br I told her that ahead of me br No pleasure beckoned, no, I said, br Stern duty only lay ahead! br Oh, well,' her parting answer ran, br Enjoy yourself the best you can.' br And so unconquerably gay, br She went upon her darkening way.