Now Harvard, Princeton, Stanford men, we see
And never know, until they speak the name;
But Yale,--it bears its brand.
RALPH (reproachfully)
You're making game
Of me, and of my College, cruel girl.
[Approaches her excitedly.]
Come, drop those flowers, and let us have a whirl.
I'll give you both the Yale Yell and the Boola,
If you will dance for me your famous Hula.
GIRL (drawing back haughtily)
_I_ dance the Hula? You mistake, my friend;
You heard my chant, but did not comprehend
The meaning of it. Hark, while I repeat it.
[Repeats the chant.]
RALPH (puzzled)
I'm sure there's nothing in the world can beat it;
But--er--the language is a little queer;
I did not quite catch all the words, I fear;
Besides, I'm so distracted by your face.
GIRL (proudly)
That chant relates the conquests of my race;
Though I am poor, and hawk about these lais
To earn my bread, yet in the olden days
There was no prouder family on earth
Than mine. But Polynesian pride of birth
Is quite beyond the white man's scope of brain,
And so perchance I speak to you in vain.
[Takes her flowers and starts to go.]
RALPH (intercepts her)
Great Scott! but you are splendid when you're mad
Now, please, don't go; I'm really not so bad:
I don't mean half I say.
GIRL (turns blazing eyes upon him)
Oh, all you men
Of pallid blood, again, and yet again
Have offered insults to our island races.
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