"There is my home," she said, pointing to a small brown thatched cottage under a hill not far away. "Will you not come to see us some day, madam?"
I promised to do so, and when I kept my word soon after, I found all as she had said. Though they were poor, and the mother had to work hard, their home was so neat, and all seemed so happy in it, that it was a pleasure to go there. I repeated my visits many times, carrying dainties for the invalid, who was soon quite well and strong; and I shall never forget bright, cheery little Fanchette.
ANNA LIVINGSTON.
SWEET GOOD-DAY.
"We are fading, little children;
One by one, we flutter down;
For the winds are harsh and chilly,
And the meadows, bare and brown.
We are fading," leaves of purple,
Leaves of amber, softly say;
"But we'll meet you in the May-time,
Our merry, merry play-time:
Little children, sweet good-day!"
"We are going, little children,"
Sigh the flowers in the sun;
"Oh! we soon shall end our singing,"
Lisp the brooklets as they run;
And the birds, with silver warble,
Long before they wing away,
Pipe, "We'll meet you in the May-time,
Our merry, merry play-time:
Little children, sweet good-day!"
GEORGE COOPER.