As faintly, in tones that faltered,

I heard our darling say:

"1 My shoe! papa, please hang it

Once more on the holly bough,

Just where I am sure to see it,

When I wake.... an hour from now!

"But alas! she never wakened!

Close-shut were the eyes of blue

Whose last faint gleam had fondled

The curves of that dainty shoe!