 | A gift book of stories and poems for children |  |
25
ANNA NIVEN.
Mother,” Anna Niven cries,
Can Marion come and play?
“No, no, my dear,” her ma' replies,
She must her lessons say.”
ANNA.Can Marion come and play?
“No, no, my dear,” her ma' replies,
She must her lessons say.”
Then do let Fanny come and string
Some corals for my doll,
While I sit in the airy swing,
And play with pretty poll.
MOTHER.
Anna, my child, why thus persist?
You must have heard me say,
That she has promised to assist
To make your frock to-day.
26
But Susan nothing has to do,
Except to sweep the stairs;
Mamma, do let her come, will you,
And help me gather pears?
MOTHER.
Susan must watch your little brother
Their nurse is sick to-day,
And sure am I, my dear, no other
Can leave her work to play.
ANNA.
Then, mother dear, suppose that I,
Do go and bring my book,
And little bench, and sit and read
And on the pictures look.
MOTHER.
That's the way my child should talk—
Go, bring your book to me,
And when you've read we'll take a walk,
On the beach beside the sea.
| A gift book of stories and poems for children | |