Constance Hately + 

You praise my self-sacrifice, Spoon River, + 

In rearing Irene and Mary, + 

Orphans of my older sister! + 

And you censure Irene and Mary + 

For their contempt for me! + 

But praise not my self-sacrifice, + 

And censure not their contempt; + 

I reared them, I cared for them, true enough!⁠— + 

But I poisoned my benefactions + 

With constant reminders of their dependence. + 