Across the street to Elsie's door;
And then I meant to run
Before she got the valentine—
I knew that she'd get one.
I knew it would be beautiful,
With lace and hearts and things,
And pretty verses on the leaves,
And tied with ribbon strings.
I knew the verses all by heart;
I knew the bows were pink;
The hearts were gold; the lace was white—
Oh, what would Elsie think!
I saw the postman come at last,
And Elsie at the door;
She got a valentine, sure 'nough—
I knew she would before.
And then I hid inside our hall;
And, when his whistle blew,
The postman called: “Hello! hello!—
A valentine for you!”
Sure 'nough, I got a valentine,
With lace and hearts and things,
And pretty verses on the leaves,
And tied with ribbon strings.
And I have wondered, ever since,
And guessed if Elsie knew
For sure I'd get a valentine,
Before the postman blew,
Just like I knew that she'd get one
And knew her verses, too.
I never s'posed that I'd get one—
Do you guess Elsie knew?
—Written for Dew Drops by Ellen D. Masters.