A Little Love Story

She understands. I do not need to go And tell her she is all the world to me. I never speak a word to let her know I will be faithful till Eternity, But when, upon the way to school, she sees Me come with two red apples in my hands And hears me say: “Please, Sally Jane, take these,” It is no wonder that she understands.

Or when she sees me at the old front gate With my new sled right after the first snow, And from her window calls to me to wait Until she asks her Mother can she go, I do not need to tell her why I come In my fur cap with mittens on my hands, For even if my feelings make me dumb She looks at me and then she understands.

Or if she whispers something when in school, As children are quite often apt to do, Forgetting all about the teacher’s rule, And teacher says to Sally: “Was that you?” Why then I see how scared she is and rise Up in my seat and hold up both my hands And take the blame--she looks into my eyes eyes-- I do not need to speak--she understands.

Or if she has the measles so I dare Not go up to her house, but I can look In through the window and she sees me there, And if I bring a dandy story book And leave it on the fence post where the nurse Can come and take it in, and if my hands Have written, “Dear, I hope you’ll be no worse,” I do not need to speak--she understands.

I do not need to tell her how I feel-- She only has to watch the things I do; She knows my heart is true to her as steel, And if it rains or if the sky is blue I wait for her to walk to school with me, And carry all her school-books in my hands, And I am just as happy as can be, And so is she--because she understands.