Page:St. Nicholas - Volume 41, Part 1.djvu/481

Rh These are things I ought to have : some faggots for the fire;

Bread and milk and but-ter I shall cer-tain-ly re-quire; A

(Counting on her fingers)

peck of new po - ta-toes and a bit of wa - ter - cress, But

most of all I real - ly need a linsey-woolsey dress! How

can I spend so much and have a pen-ny left to spare? But

O! my grate is emp - typ and the cup-board shelf is bare! If

some good fai- ry would but seek and find my lone-ly cot, And

bring good fortune to the door of lit -t le Mel - i - lotte!

A knock! Shall I unlatch the door? None ever came so late before.

Who comes? (outside). I come!

What do you seek?

With Melilotte I wish to speak.

(hesitating). Shall I unlatch? I shake with fright!

(testily). Don’t keep me waiting here all night;

Unlatch the door!

(going to the door). Don’t think me rude,

I ’m all alone and have no food;

But shelter I can give and will—

I ’ve that, at least, to offer still.

(crossly). You took your time to draw the latch!

A night like this one needs a thatch

Above her head, which I had not.

What is your name?

’T is Melilotte.

Ah, Melilotte! T guessed aright; ’T is you I 'm looking for to-night.

But who are you, mysterious dame?

Pray listen—you shall hear my name.