Mrs. Miller Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A B C D E F G H I J K LIL M N M O M P M Q R S T M M C O D M C C U V W M U X Y ZOMMRMA2B2MCB2C2D2OB 2ME2 M M F2 C O G2 M O H2 B2 I2 D2 F P B2 M M J2 P K2 M D2 M M M M M M M O F L2 M M M O M M M2 M F N2 P P M M| John B McKinney Attorney and Counselor at Law as his sign read was for many reasons a fortunate man For many other reasons he was not He was chiefly fortunate in being as certain opponents often strove to witheringly designate him the son of his father since that sound old gentleman was the wealthiest farmer in that section with but one son and heir to in time supplant him in the role of county god and haply perpetuate the prouder title of the biggest tax payer on the assessment list And this fact too fortunate as it would seem was doubtless the indirect occasion of a liberal percentage of all John's misfortunes From his earliest school days in the little town up to his tardy graduation from a distant college the influence of his father's wealth invited his procrastination humored its results encouraged the laxity of his ambition and even now as John used in bitter irony to put it it is aiding and abetting me in the ostensible practice of my chosen profession a listless aimless undetermined man of forty and a confirmed bachelor at that At the utterance of this self depreciating statement John generally jerked his legs down from the top of his desk and rising and kicking his chair back to the wall he would stump around his littered office till the manilla carpet steamed with dust Then he would wildly break away seeking refuge either in the open street or in his room at the old time tavern The Eagle House where he would say I have lodged and boarded I do solemnly asseverate for a long unbroken middle aged eternity of ten years and can yet assert in the words of the more fortunately dying Webster that 'I still live ' | A |
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| Extravagantly satirical as he was at times John had always an indefinable drollery about him that made him agreeable company to his friends at least and such an admiring friend he had constantly at hand in the person of Bert Haines Both were Bohemians in natural tendency and though John was far in Bert's advance in point of age he found the young man just the kind of a fellow to have around while Bert in turn held his senior in profound esteem looked up to him in fact and in even his eccentricities strove to pattern after him And so it was when summer days were dull and tedious these two could muse and doze the hours away together and when the nights were long and dark and deep and beautiful they could drift out in the noon light of the stars and with the soft complaining flute and warbling lute lay the pipes as John would say for their enduring popularity with the girls And it was immediately subsequent to one of these romantic excursions when the belated pair at two o'clock in the morning had skulked up a side stairway of the old hotel and gained John's room with nothing more serious happening than Bert falling over a trunk and smashing his guitar just after such a night of romance and adventure it was that in the seclusion of John's room Bert had something of especial import to communicate | B |
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| Mack he said as that worthy anathematized a spiteful match and then sucked his finger | C |
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| Blast the all fired old torch said John wrestling with the lamp flue and turning on a welcome flame at last Well you said 'Mack ' Why don't you go on And don't bawl at the top of your lungs either You've already succeeded in waking every boarder in the house with that guitar and you want to make amends now by letting them go to sleep again | D |
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| But my dear fellow said Bert with forced calmness you're the fellow that's making all the noise and | E |
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| Why you howling dervish interrupted John with a feigned air of pleased surprise and admiration But let's drop controversy Throw the fragments of your guitar in the wood box there and proceed with the opening proposition | F |
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| What I was going to say was this said Bert with a half desperate enunciation I'm getting tired of this way of living clean dead tired and fagged out and sick of the whole artificial business | G |
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| Oh yes exclaimed John with a towering disdain you needn't go any further I know just what malady is throttling you It's reform reform You're going to 'turn over a new leaf ' and all that and sign the pledge and quit cigars and go to work and pay your debts and gravitate back into Sunday School where you can make love to the preacher's daughter under the guise of religion and desecrate the sanctity of the innermost pale of the church by confessions at Class of your 'thorough conversion ' Oh you're going to | H |
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| No but I'm going to do nothing of the sort interrupted Bert resentfully What I mean if you'll let me finish is I'm getting too old to be eternally undignifying myself with this 'singing of midnight strains under Bonnybell's window panes ' and too old to be keeping myself in constant humiliation and expense by the borrowing and stringing up of old guitars together with the breakage of the same and the general wear and tear on a constitution that is slowly being sapped to its foundations by exposure in the night air and the dew And while you receive no further compensation in return said John than perhaps the coy turning up of a lamp at an upper casement where the jasmine climbs or an exasperating patter of invisible palms or a huge dank wedge of fruit cake shoved at you by the old man through a crack in the door | I |
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| Yes and I'm going to have my just reward is what I mean said Bert and exchange the lover's life for the benedict's Going to hunt out a good sensible girl and marry her And as the young man concluded this desperate avowal he jerked the bow of his cravat into a hard knot kicked his hat under the bed and threw himself on the sofa like an old suit | J |
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| John stared at him with absolute compassion Poor devil he said half musingly I know just how he feels | K |
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| 'Ring in the wind his wedding chimes | L |
| Smile villagers at every door | I |
| Old church yards stuffed with buried crimes | L |
| Be clad in sunshine o'er and o'er ' | - |
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| Oh here exclaimed the wretched Bert jumping to his feet let up on that dismal recitative It would make a dog howl to hear that | M |
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| Then you 'let up' on that suicidal talk of marrying replied John and all that harangue of incoherency about your growing old Why my dear fellow you're at least a dozen years my junior and look at me and John glanced at himself in the glass with a feeble pride noting the gray sparseness of his side hair and its plaintive dearth on top Of course I've got to admit he continued that my hair is gradually evaporating but for all that I'm 'still in the ring ' don't you know as young in society for the matter of that as yourself And this is just the reason why I don't want you to blight every prospect in your life by marrying at your age especially a woman I mean the kind of woman you'd be sure to fancy at your age | N |
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| Didn't I say 'a good sensible girl' was the kind I had selected Bert remonstrated | M |
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| Oh exclaimed John you've selected her then and without one word to me he ended rebukingly | O |
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| Well hang it all said Bert impatiently I knew how you were and just how you'd talk me out of it and I made up my mind that for once at least I'd follow the dictations of a heart that however capricious in youthful frivolties should beat in manhood loyal to itself and loyal to its own affinity | M |
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| Go it Fire away Farewell vain world exclaimed the excited John Trade your soul off for a pair of ear bobs and a button hook a hank of jute hair and a box of lily white I've buried not less than ten old chums this way and here's another nominated for the tomb | P |
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| But you've got no reason about you began Bert I want to | M |
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| And so do I 'want to ' broke in John finally I want to get some sleep So 'register' and come to bed And lie up on edge too when you do come 'cause this old catafalque of a bed is just about as narrow as your views of single blessedness Peace Not another word Pile in Pile in I'm three parts sick anyhow and I want rest And very truly he spoke | Q |
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| It was a bright morning when the slothful John was aroused by a long vociferous pounding on the door He started up in bed to find himself alone the victim of his wrathful irony having evidently risen and fled away while his pitiless tormentor slept Doubtless to at once accomplish that nefarious intent as set forth by his unblushing confession of last night mused the miserable John And he ground his fingers in the corners of his swollen eyes and leered grimly in the glass at the feverish orbs blood shotten blurred and aching | R |
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| The pounding on the door continued John looked at his watch it was only o'clock | S |
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| Hi there he called viciously What do you mean anyhow he went on elevating his voice again shaking a man out of bed when he's just dropping into his first sleep | T |
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| I mean that you're going to get up that's what replied a firm female voice It's o'clock and I want to put your room in order and I'm not going to wait all day about it either Get up and go down to your breakfast and let me have the room And the clamor at the door was industriously renewed | M |
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| Say called John querulously hurrying on his clothes Say you | M |
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| There's no 'say' about it responded the determined voice I've heard about you and your ways around this house and I'm not going to put up with it You'll not lie in bed till high noon when I've got to keep your room in proper order | C |
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| Oh ho bawled John intelligently reckon you're the new invasion here Doubtless you're the girl that's been hanging up the new window blinds that won't roll and disguising the pillows with clean slips and 'hennin' round among my books and papers on the table here and ageing me generally till I don't know my own handwriting by the time I find it Oh yes you're going to revolutionize things here you're going to introduce promptness and system and order See you've even filled the wash pitcher and tucked two starched towels through the handle Haven't got any tin towels have you I rather like this new soap too So solid and durable you know warranted not to raise a lather Might as well wash one's hands with a door knob And as John's voice grumbled away into the sullen silence again the determined voice without responded Oh you can growl away to your heart's content Mr McKinney but I want you to distinctly understand that I'm not going to humor you in any of your old bachelor sluggardly slovenly ways and whims and notions And I want you to understand too that I'm not hired help in this house nor a chambermaid nor anything of the kind I'm the landlady here and I'll give you just ten minutes more to get down to your breakfast or you'll not get any that's all And as the reversed cuff John was in the act of buttoning slid from his wrist and rolled under the dresser he heard a stiff rustling of starched muslin flouncing past the door and the quick italicized patter of determined gaiters down the hall | O |
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| Look here said John to the bright faced boy in the hotel office a half hour later It seems the house here's been changing hands again | D |
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| Yes sir said the boy closing the cigar case and handing him a lighted match Well the new landlord whoever he is continued John patronizingly is a good one Leastwise he knows what's good to eat and how to serve it | M |
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| The boy laughed timidly It aint a landlord ' though it's a landlady it's my mother | C |
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| Ah said John dallying with the change the boy had pushed toward him Your mother eh And where's your father | C |
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| He's dead said the boy | U |
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| And what's this for abruptly asked John examining his change | V |
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| That's your change said the boy You got three for a quarter and gave me a half | W |
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| Well you just keep it said John sliding back the change It's for good luck you know my boy Same as drinking your long life and prosperity And Oh yes by the way you may tell your mother I'll have a friend to dinner with me to day | M |
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| Yes sir and thank you sir said the beaming boy | U |
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| Handsome boy mused John as he walked down street Takes that from his father though I'll wager my existence | X |
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| Upon his office desk John found a hastily written note It was addressed in the well known hand of his old chum He eyed the missive apprehensively and there was a positive pathos in his voice as he said aloud It's our divorce I feel it The note headed At the Office in Morning ran like this | Y |
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| Dear Mack I left you slumbering so soundly that by noon | Z |
| when you waken I hope in your refreshed state you will | O |
| look more tolerantly on my intentions as partially confided | M |
| to you this night I will not see you here again to say | M |
| good bye I wanted to but was afraid to 'rouse the sleeping | R |
| lion ' I will not close my eyes to night fact is I haven't | M |
| time Our serenade at Josie's was a pre arranged signal by | A2 |
| which she is to be ready and at the station for the | B2 |
| morning train You may remember the lighting of three | M |
| consecutive matches at her window before the igniting of her | C |
| lamp That meant 'Thrice dearest one I'll meet thee at the | B2 |
| depot at sharp ' So my dear Mack this is to inform | C2 |
| you that even as you read Josie and I have eloped It is | D2 |
| all the old man's fault yet I forgive him Hope he'll | O |
| return the favor Josie predicts he will inside of a | B2 |
| week or two weeks anyhow Good bye Mack old boy and let | M |
| a fellow down as easy as you can | E2 |
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| Affectionately | M |
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| BERT | M |
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| Heavens exclaimed John stifling the note in his hand and stalking tragically around the room Can it be possible that I have nursed a frozen viper An ingrate A wolf in sheep's clothing An orang outang in gent's furnishings | F2 |
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| Was you callin' me sir asked a voice at the door It was the janitor | C |
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| No thundered John Quit my sight get out of my way No no Thompson I don't mean that he called after him Here's a half dollar for you and I want you to lock up the office and tell anybody that wants to see me that I've been set upon and sacked and assassinated in cold blood and I've fled to my father's in the country and am lying there in the convulsions of dissolution babbling of green fields and running brooks and thirsting for the life of every woman that comes in gunshot And then more like a confirmed invalid than a man in the strength and pride of his prime he crept down into the street again and thence back to his hotel | O |
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| Dejectedly and painfully climbing to his room he encountered on the landing above a little woman in a jaunty dusting cap and a trim habit of crisp muslin He tried to evade her but in vain She looked him squarely in the face occasioning him the dubious impression of either needing shaving very badly or having egg stains on his chin | G2 |
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| You're the gentleman in No I believe she said | M |
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| He nodded confusedly | O |
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| Mr McKinney is your name I think she queried with a pretty elevation of the eyebrows | H2 |
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| Yes ma'am said John rather abjectly You see ma'am But I beg pardon he went on stammeringly and with a very awkward bow I beg pardon but I am addressing ah the ah the | B2 |
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| You are addressing the new landlady she interpolated pleasantly Mrs Miller is my name I think we should be friends Mr McKinney since I hear that you are one of the oldest patrons of the house | I2 |
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| Thank you thank you said John completely embarrassed Yes indeed ha ha Oh yes yes really we must be quite old friends I assure you Mrs Mrs | D2 |
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| Mrs Miller smilingly prompted the little woman | F |
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| Yes ah yes Mrs Miller Lovely morning Mrs Miller said John edging past her and backing toward his room | P |
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| But as Mrs Miller was laughing outright for some mysterious reason and gave no affirmation in response to his proposition as to the quality of the weather John utterly abashed and nonplussed darted into his room and closed the door Deucedly extraordinary woman he thought wonder what's her idea | B2 |
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| He remained locked in his room till the dinner hour and when he promptly emerged for that occasion there was a very noticeable improvement in his personal appearance in point of dress at least though there still lingered about his smoothly shaven features a certain haggard care worn anxious look that would not out | M |
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| Next his own place at the table he found a chair tilted forward as though in reservation for some honored guest What did it mean Oh he remembered now Told the boy to tell his mother he would have a friend to dine with him Bert and blast the fellow he was doubtless dining then with a far preferable companion his wife in a palace car on the P C St L a hundred miles away The thought was maddening Of course now the landlady would have material for a new assault And how could he avert it A despairing film blurred his sight for the moment then the eyes flashed daringly I will meet it like a man he said mentally like a State's Attorney I will invite it Let her do her worst | M |
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| He called a servant directing some message in an undertone | J2 |
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| Yes sir said the agreeable servant I'll go right away sir and left the room | P |
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| Five minutes elapsed and then a voice at his shoulder startled him | K2 |
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| Did you send for me Mr McKinney What is it I can do | M |
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| You are very kind Mrs Mrs | D2 |
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| Mrs Miller said the lady with a smile that he remembered | M |
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| Now please spare me even the mildest of rebukes I deserve your censure but I can't stand it I can't positively and there was a pleading look in John's lifted eyes that changed the little woman's smile to an expression of real solicitude I have sent for you continued John to ask of you three great favors Please be seated while I enumerate them First I want you to forgive and forget that ill natured uncalled for grumbling of mine this morning when you wakened me | M |
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| Why certainly said the landlady again smiling though quite seriously | M |
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| I thank you said John with dignity And second he continued I want your assurance that my extreme confusion and awkwardness on the occasion of our meeting later were rightly interpreted | M |
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| Certainly certainly said the landlady with the kindliest sympathy | M |
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| I am grateful utterly said John with newer dignity And then he went on after informing you that it is impossible for the best friend I have in the world to be with me at this hour as intended I want you to do me the very great honor of dining with me Will you | M |
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| Why certainly said the charming little landlady and a thousand thanks beside But tell me something of your friend she continued as they were being served What is he like and what is his name and where is he | M |
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| Well said John warily he's like all young fellows of his age He's quite young you know not over thirty I should say a mere boy in fact but clever talented versatile | O |
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| Unmarried of course said the chatty little woman | F |
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| Oh yes said John in a matter of course tone but he caught himself abruptly then stared intently at his napkin glanced evasively at the side face of his questioner and said Oh yes Yes indeed He's unmarried Old bachelor like myself you know Ha Ha | L2 |
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| So he's not like the young man here that distinguished himself last night said the little woman archly | M |
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| The fork in John's hand half lifted to his lips faltered and fell back toward his plate | M |
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| Why what's that said John in a strange voice I hadn't heard anything about it I mean I haven't heard anything about any young man What was it | M |
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| Haven't heard anything about the elopement exclaimed the little woman in astonishment Why it's been the talk of the town all morning Elopement in high life son of a grain dealer name of Hines or Himes or something and a preacher's daughter Josie somebody didn't catch her last name Wonder if you don't know the parties Why Mr McKinney are you ill | O |
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| Oh no not at all said John Don't mention it Ha ha Just eating too rapidly that's all Go on with you were saying that Bert and Josie had really eloped | M |
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| What 'Bert' asked the little woman quickly | M |
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| Why did I say Bert said John with a guilty look I meant Haines of course you know Haines and Josie And did they really elope | M2 |
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| That's the report answered the little woman as though deliberating some important evidence and they say too that the plot of the runaway was quite ingenious It seems the young lovers were assisted in their flight by some old fellow friend of the young man's Why Mr McKinney you are ill surely | M |
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| John's face was ashen | F |
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| No no he gasped painfully Go on go on Tell me more about the the the old fellow the old reprobate And is he still at large | N2 |
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| Yes said the little womon anxiously regarding the strange demeanor of her companion They say though that the law can do nothing with him and that this fact only intensifies the agony of the broken hearted parents for it seems they have till now regarded him both as a gentleman and family friend in whom | P |
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| I really am ill moaned John waveringly rising to his feet but I beg you not to be alarmed Tell your little boy to come to my room where I will retire at once if you'll excuse me and send for my physician It is simply a nervous attack I am often troubled so and only perfect quiet and seclusion restores me You have done me a great honor Mrs Mrs Miller sighed the sympathetic little woman Mrs Miller and I thank you more than I have words to express He bowed limply turned through a side door opening on a stair and tottered to his room | P |
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| During the three weeks' illness through which he passed John had every attention much more indeed than he had consciousness to appreciate For the most part his mind wandered and he talked of curious things and laughed hysterically and serenaded mermaids that dwelt in grassy seas of dew and were bald headed like himself He played upon a fourteen jointed flute of solid gold with diamond holes and keys carved out of thawless ice His old father came at first to take him home but he could not be moved the doctor said | M |
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| Two weeks of John's illness had worn away when a very serious looking young man in a traveling duster and a high hat came up the stairs to see him A handsome young lady was clinging to his arm It was Bert and Josie She had guessed the very date of their forgiveness John wakened even clearer in mind than usual that afternoon He recognized his old chum at a glance and Josie now Bert's wife Yes he comprehended that He was holding a hand of each when another figure entered His thin white fingers loosened their clasp and he held a hand toward the new comer Here he said is my best friend in the world Bert you and Josie will love her I know for this is Mrs Mrs Mrs Miller said the radiant little woman Yes Mrs Miller said John very proudly | M |
James Whitcomb Riley
(1)
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