THREE LADIES BESIDE THE SEA

Three tall dignified ladies lived by the edge of the sea in three narrow, regal houses. Catherine of Compromise and Edith of Ecstasy went about their comparatively ordered lives, playing cello and lte by the sea on Thursdays (depending on the weather) while Alice played with extreme vigor on the flute. The two wondered about Alice, for she spent many a spare hour up a tree. When asked why, she informed them that she was looking for a bird who had once sung to her. In rollicking rhymes-- never missing a beat-- the three ladies drift about before the young listener, who, even if he doesn't quite understand all the words, will enjoy the thumping good sound of them. The elongated figures in Gorey's illustrations are unusually fine-- and round out a brief, lively flight to fancy on the wings of well-worded nonsense. Definite adult appeal.