The First Morning in France

Here they see a pretty sight, Sunny sky and landscape bright: Fishing-boats move up and down, With their sails all red and brown.

Some to land are drawing near, O'er the water still and clear, Full of fish as they can be, Caught last night in open sea.

On the pavement down below, Fishwives hurry to and fro, Calling out their fish to sell— "What a noisy lot," says Nell,

"What a clap—clap—clap—they make With their shoes each step they take. Wooden shoes, I do declare, And oh! what funny caps they wear!"

After breakfast all went out To view the streets, and walk about The ancient city-walls, so strong, Where waved the English flag for long.

Toy shops too they went to see, Spread with toys so temptingly: Dolls of every kind were there, With eyes that shut and real hair—

And, in a brightly-coloured row, Doll-fisherfolk like these below. Prices marked, as if to say, "Come and buy us, quick, to-day!"

One for Mabel, one for Rose, Two for Bertie I suppose, Father bought.—Then all once more Set off travelling as before.

To Rouen next they went, that very day, And heard strange places called out by the way, Where bells kept tinkling while the train delayed: At Amiens ten minutes quite they stayed.

Dennis bought chocolate to make a feast— They had three dinners in the train, at least. At Rouen here they are at last, though late— The bedroom clock there shows 'tis after eight!

Mabel looks tired—she lies back in her chair Beside the wood fire burning brightly there. Rose says—"Good-night!"—to Bertie fast asleep, While her own eyes can scarcely open keep.

Next morning, through the quaint old streets of Rouen They went to see the old church of Saint Ouen, With eager feet, and chatting as they walked, About the ancient Town, together talked.