Part 107

Very often in the evening, Shortly after tea, Father, when he's read the paper, Takes me on his knee.

There I fix myself "quite comfy," In his arms so strong, While he makes up lovely stories As he goes along.

Mother near us with her sewing, Rocking to and fro, Smiles and listens to the stories, Likes them too, I know.

And I'm sure that she is thinking, What perhaps you've guessed, That the stories Father tells us Are the very best.

#AMUSING ALPHABETS#

TINGLE, TANGLE TITMOUSE

"Come hither, little puppy-dog, I'll give you a new collar, If you will learn to read your book, And be a clever scholar."

"No! no!" replied the puppy-dog, "I've other fish to fry; For I must learn to guard your house, And bark when thieves come nigh."

With a tingle, tangle titmouse, Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, F, G, H, I, J, K.

"Come hither, pretty cockatoo, Come and learn your letters; And you shall have a knife and fork To eat with, like your betters."

"No! no!" the cockatoo replied, "My beak will do as well; I'd rather eat my victuals thus Than go and learn to spell."

With a tingle, tangle titmouse, Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, F, G, H, I, J, K.

"Come hither, little pussy-cat, If you'll your grammar study, I'll give you silver clogs to wear, Whene'er the gutter's muddy."

"No! whilst I grammar learn," says puss, "Your house will in a trice Be overrun from top to toe With flocks of rats and mice."

With a tingle, tangle titmouse, Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, F, G, H, I, J, K.

"Come hither, then, good little boy, And learn your alphabet, And you a pair of boots and spurs, Like your papa's, shall get."

"Oh, yes! I'll learn my alphabet, And when I've learned to read, Perhaps papa will give me, too, A pretty, long-tailed steed."

With a tingle, tangle titmouse, Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, F, G, H, I, J, K.

AN ENGLISH ALPHABET

Ale, A is for Apple, Artichoke, and Ann;

Brown Bear, B is for Black Bear, and Bran;

Chestnut, C is for Clay, Coke, and Coal,

Dear, D is for Dray, Dick, Duck, and Droll,

Eve, E is for Eagle, Eel, East, and Ear;

Fan, F is for Feather, Furrow, Fox, and Fear;

Goose, G is for Gander, Green, Grub, and Gray;

Horse, H is for Hound, Hip, Haw, and Hay;

Ice, I is for Idler, Ink, If, and Ill;