Page:A Study in Colour - Augusta Zelia Fraser.pdf/44

Rh, and serving but as the means for soothing a little white child to sleep.

Another little song was almost pathetic in its simplicity:
 * My sweetie lub me,
 * My sweetie kiss me,
 * My sweetie tell eberybody dat he lub me.
 * "When I come home fram
 * De—mer—ara—a
 * I—will—marry—you-u-u."

The air was sad and monotonous, but so, alas! was the theme; a very epitome of most Creole courtships. If Baby Billy, however, cried and refused to slumber properly, another lullaby was sure to be intoned:
 * Oh! what is de matter wid de Massa?
 * Hungry an' thirstly, yeo—o.
 * Oh! whateber is dematter wid my Massa?
 * Tired and sleepy, yeo—o.

The adjectives varied indefinitely, although the dismal tune would last with maddening reiteration for hours. It was, indeed, a test of endurance between Billy's lungs and Justina's, but in the long run the tune always conquered. In consequence this composition may be termed the classic of the Creole nursery.