The Operation

OH, come in, dear; and thank you for the flowers.
They do so cheer one, tending to repine
While lying here like this for hours and hours
After an operation such as mine.
What? Serious? My pet! Have you not heard?
I thought that all my friends — Come closer, dear.
Of course the doctor wouldn’t say a word;
But — (Whisper, whisper, whisper). Yes; thro’ here.

Well. Been to any shows? . . . I’ve heard that’s good.
I shan’t see one for weeks and weeks, I fear.
Yes; rest’s the only thing. I really should
Go right away. My operation, dear —
Almost unique. And complicated? Sweet!
The doctor says he marvels how I bore
So much. Why, it’s the talk of Collins Street.
And — (Whisper, whisper, whisper). Yes; and more!

Bridge! Oh, at Maud de Grubb’s. Now there’s a cat.
The way she talked you’d think she’d been half slain;
And hers a mild appendix case at that!
She’ll never try to talk me down again.
And Sonia’s silly tonsils. Why, I laugh
When I think how I used to squirm with dread
To hear them; thinking them near cut in half;
But — (Whisper, whisper, whisper) — doctor said.

Oh, must you go? Well, do come soon again.
I have such lots and lots I want to tell —
Such gorgeous details that I must explain,
Such heaps and heaps to talk of when I’m well.
Why — (Whisper, whisper, whisper). Ghastly? Yes!
And — (Whisper, whisper, whisper) — simply gnawed,
And — (Whisper, whisper, whisper). Such distress!
Dear, do come soon. Bring Sonia and Maud.