It was his first banquet, and they were making speeches. Everybody was
being called on for a speech, and he was in mortal terror, for he had
never made a speech in his life. An old-timer at his side cruelly
suggested that he "get under the table--or say a prayer." His name was
called and he got up with fear and trembling, and said:
"My friends, I never made a speech in all my life, and I'm just scared
nearly to death. A friend here beside me has suggested two things for me
to do--to get under the table, or to pray. Well, I couldn't get under
the table without observation, and now that I am on my feet, I can't
think of any other prayer to say except one that I used to hear my
sister Mary say in the morning when mother called us--'O Lord, how I do
hate to get up!'"