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276 A CENTURY OF BALLADS
sea-songs, and when Weatherly brought him the lyric of "Three for Jack," he refused it because, though he liked it immensely, he was afraid that the public might think it too much of the same type as i i The Jolly Sailor." Then rather a curious thing happened. Weatherly sold the lyric to Chap-pell's, who sent it to Squire with a request that he would set it! Thus it came back to him after all. " Mountain Lovers, "sung by John McCormack, and "The Token" are two more recent songs of Squire's which have been very successful. Of the latter there is a story to tell, and I give it in Squire's own words. "When I had set 'The Token,' some whim made me determine to put a pseudonym to it, and I signed it ' Margery Fisher.' Ivor Foster took the song to Boosey's for me, and I am indebted to him for the account of what followed. Foster sang the song through, Liddle accompanying him at the piano, and Mr. Arthur Boosey asked to see the manuscript, as he liked the song immensely. ' Who's Margery Fisher ? ' he asked of Foster. * Has she ever had anything published before ? ' The latter began to feel very uncomfortable, and murmured something to the effect that he didn't think so. His discomfort was increased by the fact that Liddle, who had recognised the writing as mine, was bursting with laughter. 'This is no novice's work," said Mr. Boosey, looking at the manu- |
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