 | When life is young |  |
196
SEVEN LITTLE PUSSY-CATS
Seven little pussy-cats, invited out to tea,
Cried: “Mother, let us go. Oh, do! for good we'll surely be.
We'll wear our bibs and hold our things as you have shown us how—
Spoons in right paws, cups in left—and make a pretty bow;
We'll always say, ‘Yes, if you please,’ and ‘Only half of that.’”
“Then go, my darling children,” said the happy Mother Cat.
Cried: “Mother, let us go. Oh, do! for good we'll surely be.
We'll wear our bibs and hold our things as you have shown us how—
Spoons in right paws, cups in left—and make a pretty bow;
We'll always say, ‘Yes, if you please,’ and ‘Only half of that.’”
“Then go, my darling children,” said the happy Mother Cat.
The seven little pussy-cats went out that night to tea,
Their heads were smooth and glossy, their tails were swinging free;
They held their things as they had learned, and tried to be polite;—
With snowy bibs beneath their chins they were a pretty sight.
But, alas for manners beautiful, and coats as soft as silk!
The moment that the little kits were asked to take some milk
They dropped their spoons, forgot to bow, and—oh, what do you think?
They put their noses in the cups and all began to drink!
Yes, every naughty little kit set up a “me-ouw!” for more,
Then knocked the tea-cup over, and scampered through the door.
Their heads were smooth and glossy, their tails were swinging free;
197
With snowy bibs beneath their chins they were a pretty sight.
But, alas for manners beautiful, and coats as soft as silk!
The moment that the little kits were asked to take some milk
They dropped their spoons, forgot to bow, and—oh, what do you think?
They put their noses in the cups and all began to drink!
Yes, every naughty little kit set up a “me-ouw!” for more,
Then knocked the tea-cup over, and scampered through the door.
| When life is young | |