As one can see on passing by,
Is full of garments clean and dry.
There every fashion, loose or tight,
We may secure with labor light."
Though Brownies never carry keys,
They find an entrance where they please;
And never do they chuckle more
Than when some miser bars his door;
For well they know that, spite of locks,
Of rings and staples, bolts and blocks, Were they inclined to play such prank He'd find at morn an empty bank. So now the crafty Brownie crew Soon brought the bathing-suits to view; Some, working on the inner side, The waiting throng without supplied.— |
| 'Twas busy work, as may be guessed, Before the band was fully dressed; Some still had cloth enough to lend, Though shortened up at either end; Sortie ran about to find a pin, While others rolled, and puckered in, |
And made the best of what they found,
However strange it hung around.
Then, when a boat was manned with care
To watch for daring swimmers there,—
| Lest some should venture, over-bold, And fall a prey to cramp and cold,— A few began from piers to leap And plunge at once in water deep, But more to shiver, shrink, and shout |
As step by step they ventured out;
While others were content to stay
In shallow surf, to duck and play
Along the lines that people laid
To give the weak and timid aid.
| It was a sight one should behold, When o'er the crowd the breakers rolled;— One took a header through the wave, One floated like a chip or stave, While others there, at every plunge, Were taking water like a sponge. |
| But while the surf they tumbled through, They reckoned moments as they flew, And kept in mind their homeward race Before the sun should show his face. |