The Old Lady

Janet and I once were friends with a lovely old lady – she has since passed away – who told us proudly how many beaux paid court to her when she was young. 

At the time I noted down our exchange together with a summarizing comment.  
 
Johannes:   “Did you break their hearts?” 
Old Lady:  “So they claimed.”
Johannes:   “Did you believe them?”
Old Lady:  “I believed them.”
Johannes:   “Did you care?”
Old Lady:  “No.”
 
Johannes   “Tis a hard, hard world in which we live and cruel are the times.”
 
For you and me, my friend, the times and world have not unfolded more accommodating since.