Page 13—Naughty Girls

Peggy Won't
"I won't be dressed, I won't, I won't!"
Cried Peggy one morn to mamma.
"Very well, dear," was quietly said,
"I'll teach you how silly you are."
Peggy then frowned and set her lips
Expecting a kiss as of old,
But mother had gravely walked away,
And Peggy was getting so cold.
The minutes passed, and Peggy sighed,
For thoughts of her breakfast arose,
And "Mammy, dear," she loudly wept,
While stamping her bare little toes.
Then mother came, and firmly said,
"I'm taking you, dear, at your word;
'I won't be dressed—I won't, I won't!'
Has many times lately been heard.
"So now to bed, my little maid,
For you will not be dressed to-day;
Then Peggy will be taught to think
Before acting in such a way."
Oh, for the tears that Peggy shed!
But now every morn, I am told,
A wee young maid is quietly dressed,
And is always as good as gold.

The Shadows
"Mamma! I see something
Quite dark on the wall;—
It moves up and down,
And it looks very strange!
Sometimes it is large,
And sometimes it is small;
Pray, tell me what it is,
And why does it change?"
"It is Mamma's shadow
That puzzles you so,
And there is your own
Close beside it, my love!
Now run round the room,
It will go where you go;
It rests where you sit,
When you rise it will move.
"These wonderful shadows
Are caused by the light
From fire and from candles
Upon us that falls;
If we were not here,
All that place would be bright,
But light can't shine
Through us to lighten the wall.
"And when you are out
Some fine day in the sun,
I'll take you where shadows
Of apple-trees lie;
And houses and cottages too—
Every one
Repose on their shadows
Beneath the bright sky.
"Now hold up your mouth,
And give me a sweet kiss;
Our shadows kiss too!—
Don't you see it quite plain?"
"O yes! and I thank you
For telling me this,
I'll not be afraid
Of a shadow again."
Mary Lundie

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