THE STUDENTS
I say to Tommy every day,
"Now let us read awhile,"
But Tommy doesn't like to read,
He'd rather be a prancing steed,
And have me drive him many a mile,
And often run away.
I like to do as grown folks do.
Our house is full of books.
My sisters gather every night
About the cheery study light.
I often think how wise it looks,
And wish I could stay, too.
So I coax Tommy every day
To read a little while.
I know my M's and N's and P's
And everything, 'way down to Z's.
When Tommy reads I have to smile,
For Tommy just knows A!
HANNAH G. FERNALD.