Page:Collected poems vol 1 de la mare.djvu/171

 ARK frost was in the air without,
 * The dusk was still with cold and gloom,

When less than even a shadow came
 * And stood within the room.

But of the three around the fire,
 * None turned a questioning head to look,

Still read a clear voice, on and on,
 * Still stooped they o'er their book.

The children watched their mother's eyes
 * Moving on softly line to line;

It seemed to listen too — that shade,
 * Yet made no outward sign.

The fire-flames crooned a tiny song,
 * No cold wind moved the wintry tree;

The children both in Faerie dreamed
 * Beside their mother's knee.

And nearer yet that spirit drew
 * Above that heedless one, intent

Only on what the simple words
 * Of her small story meant.