Part 3
We had not far to go—only about three minutes’ walk. My new home was, if possible, even better than the one I’d left—so cosy-comfy like. Having had my supper, I lay down on the hearthrug before a big fire, and was soon fast asleep. But I got a rude awakening, and nine times as big a fright!
I had only been asleep about a quarter of an hour when I felt something cold touching my nose. I wondered what on earth it was. Looking up, I saw a big Tom-cat staring at me wildly and jealously. He seemed to say, “What are you doing here? Don’t you know you’re sleeping in my place? This is my home, not yours!”
I sprang to my feet and faced Impy. He was a big, black fellow, eight or ten times as big as I was, with eyes flashing like automobile lights. And yet, strange to say, I wasn’t a bit afraid, that is, not after the first startling. I stared at him, put my little back up, and spat at him—real hard! Yes, and I frightened him too, for after a low growl he turned away, scowling at me, and went off to the kitchen to tell Nellie, the maid, all about me. So I lay down to sleep again, and enjoyed a good night’s rest.
[Illustration]
The next day I had another fright. At my new home lived a big collie dog, called Bunty, and the next morning I had to be introduced. Bunty and I were soon fast friends. Instead of scowling at me as Impy had done, he came and looked at me ever so kindly, and kissed me, as if to say, “I like the looks of you; let’s be friends.” And we were, all the time I stayed there. He often gave me warm kiss-licks, and loved to have me play with his long, shaggy tail, climb over his back, and lie by his side and purr.
It was very nice, and I shall love Bunty all the days of my life. If ever I get married—and I don’t see why I shouldn’t—I shall dearly love to have Bunty come and stay with us, and make his visit as long as he possibly can. He will always be a welcome guest.
[Illustration]
But one day I nearly lost his love and affection. It came about in this way. Wandering in the kitchen one day, early after dinner, I saw Bunty busy enjoying a mutton-bone feast. I did long for a bit. So I made a dash for Bunty’s bone, yes, and I got it, too! Off I ran into the dining-room with the bone in my mouth, the big collie chasing me. How I managed to carry it I don’t know, for the bone was nearly as big as I was. I hid, but Bunty found me, and got his bone; the wonder is, he didn’t bite me for being so greedy. As it was, he only growled, and was ever so kind and forgiving—later on.
I soon found out that my new master was a big tease. He used to tumble me over on my back and tickle me so earnestly, I had to scratch and bite him real hard, so as to defend myself. But he did not seem to mind—not he!
One night I got lost. When the front door was opened I ran out into the road and had a merry scamper. I tried to find my way back, but couldn’t. What was I to do? It was a cold, bitter night, and I was a stranger in those parts. Still, I felt I ought to do my best. So I ran up to what I thought was my new master’s front door and cried. A kind little girl let me in, and I soon found I was in the wrong house. I did not mind that so much, so long as I had got in somewhere. They were very kind to me, gave me some milk, and said “Pretty Pussy” a good many times.
[Illustration]
The next morning Nellie, the maid, called over the garden wall, “Has a stray kitten come to your house?”
“Yes,” replied the little girl, Kathleen. “Do you want her?”
Of course they did, and soon I was safely lodged at Jasmine Villa. But when my dear young mistress got well, I joyfully went back, and said how grateful I was to get home again.
A COMFORTER
Don’t cry, little brother; I know that you fell, But the place isn’t bleeding— It soon will be well.
Dry your eyes, little brother; You’re growing so tall And it’s only a baby Who cries at a fall.
But hark, little brother, I hear the birds sing! —We’ll play I’m a Duchess, And you are a King!
So come, little brother, I’ll make you a crown Of the pretty white daisies That grow on the down.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: A DUTCH VILLAGE.]
There is a little Dutch village called Volendam. Most of the men are fishermen, and wear tight blouses of crimson or blue, and large, baggy trousers coming down to their ankles.
The little boys, even the tiniest ones, are dressed just like their fathers and their big brothers. Sometimes they are to be seen walking up and down the narrow streets of the village with their hands in their pockets, trying to look like the men.
The women and girls wear white lace caps and a great many woolen skirts—sometimes as many as eight or ten; and the more they wear the more they are admired by their neighbors. Even the tiny girls of two or three years old are dressed just like their mothers.
All the people wear wooden shoes, and as most of the streets are paved with tiles the people make a great noise as they clatter up and down. These wooden shoes look very big and clumsy, but the children manage to run about in them just as easily as you do in yours.
[Illustration]
Nearly every woman and girl in Volendam wears a necklace of coral beads. And nearly every man and boy wears two big silver buttons; the richer a man is, the larger are his silver buttons.
The Dutch people keep their houses and streets very clean. They are always scrubbing their houses inside or out, and the little girls have to help in this as well as their big sisters.
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
“Will you please come to my party,” wrote Margaret to Nell, To Dorothy and Frederick and Baby May as well. Also to Jack and Marjory, to Barbara and Kate, And many other friends besides whose names I won’t relate.
“And as it is my birthday and at last I shall be six, We are to have a conjurer to show us wondrous tricks. Some games and dancing after that, so please do not forget To come quite punctually at four—your loving Margaret.”
The invitations were sent round, and as you well may guess, The answers soon came pouring in, and every one said “Yes.” The time seemed long to wait, and when the glad day came at last, They all arrived at four o’clock and not a moment past.
And everybody brought a gift to little Margaret, Because it was her birthday, and because she was a pet. Of dolls and toys and picture books she soon had quite a store Piled up around her on the chairs, and some upon the floor.
That was a splendid party, and the conjurer was grand, I really think he must have come direct from Fairyland. And how the children romped and played, with all their might and main, Till it was time to go—then they wished they could begin again!
THE WANDERING DUCKLINGS
[Illustration]
Six little Ducklings went waddling away Over the common one fine summer day; Six little Ducklings went plump in the pond, For of the water you know they are fond.
Six little Ducklings went swimming about, Each with their yellow webbed feet turning out. One little Duckling took fright at a cat, Puss would not hurt him—he did not know that.
One little Duckling went wand’ring away, Nobody found him until the next day.
Four little Ducklings were left then you know, Home o’er the common deciding to go. Two little Ducklings then found a big snail Just by the well-side, at back of the pail,
Catching and eating him took them some time, They lost their way back, ’twas dusk and past nine. One little Duckling was caught with great joy Bobby Bright fancied that he was a toy.
One little Duckling arrived home forlorn, Poor old Duck mother was hunting ’till dawn; Five little Ducklings were found the next day, Never again will they wander away.
Kate Ashley.
[Illustration]
THE DOLLIES’ REVENGE
Eveline, Arabella, and Peg were having a great discussion, seated on a large cushion where their mistress had left them when she went to bed.
“It isn’t fair!” exclaimed Arabella, shaking herself. “Here I can scarcely bend because she has stuck a pin right through me. It goes in at my waist and out at my back, and the bit that sticks out at my back, she hung my sash on and thought it wonderful!”
[Illustration]
“Yes, she treats our nice, soft bodies just like pin-cushions,” agreed Eveline. “And her mother has given her a nice work-basket with needles, scissors, and a thimble in, and plenty of tapes and buttons, and she is always trying to make her sew neatly, yet just look at us!”
“But what about me?” chimed in wooden Peg. “My master hasn’t a work-basket, and when he wanted to stick this piece of cloth on my head for a cap, he just got a tack and hammered it in! And there it will remain until he wants a tack again, and then he’ll know where to find it.”
“Well, of course your feelings are not so keen as ours,” sniffed Eveline. “I am not very big, but I have five pins in me, and one is to keep my stocking up, and she has tied a piece of cotton so tightly round the other that it’s cutting into my leg.”
“Well,” said Arabella, “I’ll tell you what we’ll do. To-morrow when she picks us up we will make all these pins scratch her; we will scratch her so much that she will be glad to take them all out and put buttons on.”
The next day when Doris picked up Eveline she suddenly screamed, “Oh, mother, see how I have pricked myself on this nasty pin! Oh, it does hurt!”
Mother looked grave.
“If my little girl would try to sew as mother wants her to, there would be no nasty pins, dear.”
Doris thought a moment and then picked up Arabella. There was another cry, and a scratch on her wrist. “Oh, mother,” sobbed Doris, “they have hurt me all over. Now I won’t put any more pins in, I won’t really! I’ll start now and learn to sew, mother.”
So Doris put tapes on all her dollies’ clothes. Indeed, she even put tapes on Peg’s hat and tied it under her chin for her, and Jim was very glad, because he was wanting the tack.
Isabel Rayfield.
A JOLLY FROG
[Illustration]
A jolly little frog was he, Whose heart was always gay, He never looked the darkest side, However dull the day.
When other frogs in weary tones, Declared the weather hot, He croaked his happy little song, And chose a shady spot.
One day he nearly came to grief When swimming in the pool, A naughty, horrid little boy Stood by the waters cool.
At Master Frog he threw a stone, “I’ll make you hop!” said he, He missed his aim, and Froggie hopped In safety home to tea.
If any harm had come to him, I think I should have cried, For he was quite his mother’s pet, His daddy’s joy and pride.
He never once forgot to do The thing that he was bid, Did e’er you meet such little frog? I’m sure you never did!
WAS EVER HEARD SUCH NOISE?
Was ever heard such noise and clatter? Billy’s got a drum. Guess we’ll have to leave this flat or Bribe him to keep “mum.”
[Illustration: BILLY’S GOT A DRUM]
THE MAN IN THE MOON
[Illustration]
The Man in the Moon looked down at the earth, With a smile that was gay but pensive; “I’d like to visit that place,” he said, “But traveling’s so very expensive.”
THE GRASSHOPPER
Old Daddy Grasshopper’s keeping a school, Funniest ever was seen; All the wee grasshoppers stand, as a rule, Dressed in their jackets of green.
No little grasshopper’s ever a dunce, Plenty of leisure for play. Old Daddy Grasshopper shows him but once, Then he goes hopping away.
Learning to hop, hoppity hop! Hoppity, hoppity, hoppity hop! Out in the sun, isn’t it fun, Learning to hoppity hop!
Grasshoppers learn to sing as they go, Clapping their green shiny wings; Though it is funny, ’tis true, as you know, That’s how the grasshopper sings.
All in the summer-time, under the grass, Or where the wild flowers grow, If you but listen, you’ll hear as you pass, Singing and hopping they go.
Marie L. Johnson.