Vi

The children gather at their father's knees And, wonder-eyed, the coming story wait-- The story strange, the story sure to please. The black cat, who absorbed their cares but late, Is left to hold his solitary state. "'Twas thus," the father said, "as I came home, I reached the ruined castle's postern gate Just at the time the bats begin to roam And dart with heedless wings about the ivied gloam;