Volume I Part 92 (1/2)

It's not there.

Up in lower cupboard.

It's not there.

Then the cat have eat it.

Where's the cat?

Up in heath.

Where's the heath?

The fire burnt it.

[The rest is the same as in the last version, p. 393.]

-Dorsets.h.i.+re (_Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 221-222).

VI. Mother, mother, may I (or we) go out to play?

No, child! no, child! not for the day.

Why, mother? why, mother? I won't stay long.

Make three pretty courtesies, and away begone.

One for mammy, one for daddy, one for Uncle John.

Where, child! where, child! have you been all the day?

Up to granny's.

What have you been doing there?

[The answer to this is often, ”Was.h.i.+ng doll's clothes,” but anything may be mentioned.]

What did she give you?

[The reply is again left to the child's fancy.]

Where's my share?

The cat ate it [or, In the cat's belly]. What's in that box, mother?

Twopence, my child.

What for, mother?

To buy a stick to beat you, and a rope to hang you, my child.

-Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 55, 56).

VII. Grandmother, grandmother grey, May I go out to play?

No, no, no, it is a very wet day.

Grandmother, grandmother grey, May I go out to play?

Yes, yes, yes, if you don't frighten the geese away.

Children, I call you.

I can't hear you.

Where are your manners?

In my shoe.

Who do you care for?

Not for you.