—La Bruyere.
586
FAVORITISM.
A little figure glided through the hall.
"Is that you, Pet?" the words came tenderly.
A sob—suppressed to let the answer fall,—
"It isn't Pet, mama, it's only me."
The quivering baby-lips! They had not meant
To utter any word that could plant a sting,
But to that mother-heart a strange pang went;
She heard, and stood like a convicted thing.
One instant, and a happy little face
Thrilled 'neath unwonted kisses rained above;
And from that moment "Only Me" had place
And part with Pet in tender mother-love.
587
We like better to see those on whom we confer benefits, than those, alas! from whom we receive them.
