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<h3><SPAN name="A_VISIT_FROM_YOUNG_GLOOM" id="A_VISIT_FROM_YOUNG_GLOOM"></SPAN>A VISIT FROM YOUNG GLOOM</h3>
<div class="cpoem">
<p>There's been a young stranger at our house,<br/>
A baby whom nobody knew;<br/>
Who hated his brother, his father, his mother,<br/>
And made them aware of it, too.<br/>
<br/>
He stayed with us nearly a fortnight<br/>
And carried a grouch all the while,<br/>
Nor promise nor present could make him look pleasant;<br/>
He hadn't the power to smile.<br/>
<br/>
He cried when he couldn't have something;<br/>
He cried just as hard when he could;<br/>
Kind words by the earful but made him more tearful,<br/>
And scoldings did just as much good.<br/>
<br/>
He stormed when his meals weren't ready,<br/>
And when they <i>were</i> ready, he screamed.<br/>
He went to bed growling, got up again howling<br/>
And quarreled and snarled as he dreamed.<br/>
<br/>
He's gone, and the child we are fond of<br/>
Is back, just as nice as of old.<br/>
But I hope to be in some port European<br/>
The next time he has a bad cold.<br/></p>
</div>
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