The `` something '' was a pocketbook full of poems . Paul had put some of his beautiful fancies into verse , and magazine editors had not been as unappreciative as they are sometimes supposed to be . Anne read Paul 's poems with real delight . They were full of charm and promise . `` You 'll be famous yet , Paul . I always dreamed of having one famous pupil . He was to be a college president -- but a great poet would be even better . Some day I 'll be able to boast that I whipped the distinguished Paul Irving . But then I never did whip you , did I , Paul ? What an opportunity lost ! I think I kept you in at recess , however . '' `` You may be famous yourself , Teacher . I 've seen a good deal of your work these last three years . '' `` No . I know what I can do . I can write pretty , fanciful little sketches that children love and editors send welcome cheques for . But I can do nothing big . My only chance for earthly immortality is a corner in your Memoirs . '' Charlotta the Fourth had discarded the blue bows but her freckles were not noticeably less . `` I never did think I 'd come down to marrying a Yankee , Miss Shirley , ma'am , '' she said .
`` But you never XXXXX what 's before you , and it is n't his fault .
boast discarded fancies kept know lost marrying read said whipped