She was standing by her mirror nBrushing out her curls and braids nThat evening had arranged the night before nShe noticed her pale cheeks nAs were seen through haggard eyes nThat suggested conversation in the morning nI have reached and scraped and borrowed nI have all but paid the price nAs was ordered and was needed for the balance nnTurning to her husband she so carefully said nMy dear what put that idea in your head? nVoices cried in silence or crept stealthily away nLeft shimmering with rigid lips compressed nnTo watch over him and prey nBring him up the Christian way nAnd now what can I say that's less profane nMaybe I was in his power nI didn't mean to tell you this nThough I don't intend to share them to their full nextent nIf it's sorry that we feel about it nThen with feeling I do respect nI am the most undisciplined of man nnWe are thrown out of our bedclothes nInstead of slumbering away nAnd a smile spreads like a sunbeam through your face nnI am willing to bear my part nI've been hasty I've been surprised nAnd for this I'm only partially prepared