The Readers

Come hither, my ten years’ maiden; O’er what do you ponder so much? “I am reading in Tanglewood Stories, The tale of the Golden Touch.”

Ah! Hattie, my flax-haired darling, How buried in study you seem. “I am reading in Tales from Shakespeare, Of Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

And there on the sofa is Mayo; My laddie, what pleases you so? “This picture and fable in Æsop,— See here,—of the Pitcher and Crow.”

Come hither, my dream-eyed baby, You’re falling asleep on the floor! “I’m reading in Sing Song, papa,— I wish you would read me some more.”