THE FAIRY-BOOK

In summer, when the grass is thick, if Mother has the time,

She shows me with her pencil how a poet makes a rhyme,

And often she is sweet enough to choose a leafy nook,

Where I cuddle up so closely when she reads the Fairy-book.

In winter when the corn's asleep, and birds are not in song.

And crocuses and violets have been away too long,

Dear Mother puts her thimble by in answer to my look,

And I cuddle up so closely when she reads the Fairy-book.

And Mother tells the servants that of course they must contrive

To manage all the househod things from four till half-past five,

For we really cannot suffer interruption from the cook,

When we cuddle close together with the happy Fairy-book.