Part 5 (1/2)

BED IN SUMMER.

In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light.

In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree, Or hear the grown-up people's feet Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you, When all the sky is clear and blue, And I should like so much to play, To have to go to bed by day?

--_Robert Louis Stevenson._

THREE COMPANIONS.

We go on our walk together-- Baby and dog and I-- Three little merry companions, 'Neath any sort of sky: Blue as our baby's eyes are, Gray like our old dog's tail; Be it windy or cloudy or stormy, Our courage will never fail.

Baby's a little lady; Dog is a gentleman brave; If he had two legs as you have, He'd kneel to her like a slave; As it is, he loves and protects her, As dog and gentleman can.

I'd rather be a kind doggie, I think, than a cruel man.

--_Dinah Mulock-Craik._

THE WIND.

I saw you toss the kites on high, And blow the birds about the sky; And all around I heard you pa.s.s Like ladies' skirts across the gra.s.s-- O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did, But always you yourself you hid.

I felt you push, I heard you call, I could not see yourself at all-- O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you, that are so strong and cold, O blower, are you young or old?

Are you a beast of field and tree, Or just a stronger child than me?

O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind, that sings so loud a song!

--_Robert Louis Stevenson._

Hearts like doors can open with ease To very, very little keys; And ne'er forget that they are these: ”I thank you, sir,” and ”If you please.”

--_Sel._

THE MINUET.[1]

Grandma told me all about it, Told me so I couldn't doubt it, How she danced, my grandma danced; long ago-- How she held her pretty head, How her dainty skirt she spread, How she slowly leaned and rose--long ago.

Grandma's hair was bright and sunny, Dimpled cheeks, too, oh, how funny!

Really quite a pretty girl--long ago.

Bless her! why, she wears a cap, Grandma does and takes a nap Every single day: and yet Grandma danced the minuet--long ago.

”Modern ways are quite alarming,”

Grandma says, ”but boys were charming”

(Girls and boys she means of course) ”long ago.”