Page:Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Volume 6.djvu/132

122 Dancing gayly, dancing gayly,
 * To and fro all together,

Like a family of daisies
 * Blown about in windy weather;

Nimble fairies, nimble fairies,
 * Playing pranks in the warm glow,

While I sing the nursery ditties
 * Childish phantoms love and know.

Now what happens, now what happens?
 * One small shadow's tumbled down:

I can see it on the carpet,
 * Softly rubbing its hurt crown.

No one whimpers, no one whimpers;
 * A brave-hearted sprite is this:

See! the others offer comfort
 * In a silent, shadowy kiss.

Hush! they're creeping; hush! they're creeping,
 * Up about my rocking-chair:

I can feel their loving fingers
 * Clasp my neck and touch my hair.

Little shadows, little shadows,
 * Take me captive, hold me tight,

As they climb and cling and whisper,
 * 'Mother dear, good night! good night!

As the song ended, the real children, as well as the shadows, lovingly kissed mamma, and said "Good night;" then went away into then rooms, said their prayers, and nestled down into their beds. Ned slept alone in the room next that which Polly and Will had; and, after lying quiet a little while, he called out softly: