Page:Morning-Glories and Other Stories.djvu/98

Rh the wall, and found it was the shadow-mother singing to the shadow-children. They listened intently, and this is what they heard:—

Little shadows, little shadows,
 * Dancing on the chamber wall,

While I sit beside the hearthstone
 * Where the red flames rise and fall.

Caps and nightgowns, caps and nightgowns,
 * My three antic shadows wear;

And no sound they make in playing,
 * For the six small feet are bare.

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!'"