under the trees
And over the grass,
We all went hunting
The little lost lass.

We found her at last
Where two walls met,
A-looking naughty
And a-dripping wet.

"I was April-fooling,"
She softly said;
And down she dropped
A shamed little head.

[Illustration: A Little April Fool]

FROST FIRES

Look! look! look!
The woods are all afire!
See! see! see!
Aflame are bush and brier!
The trees are all unhurt, I know--
Oak, maple, elm and all--
But, oh, they all seem burning up
In red fires of the fall!

WHISTLING IN THE RAIN

Whistle, whistle, up the road,
And whistle, whistle down the lane!
That's the laddie takes my heart,
A-whistling in the rain.
Winter wind may whistle too--
That's a comrade gay!
Naught that any wind can do
Drives his cheer away.

Whistle, whistle, sun or storm;
And whistle, whistle, warm or cold!
Underneath his ragged coat
There beats a heart of gold.
He will keep a courage high,
Bear the battle's brunt;
Let the coward whine and cry!--
His the soldier's front.

Shoes, I know, are out at toe,
And rags and patches at the knee;
He whistles still his merry tune,
For not a fig cares he.
Whistle, whistle, up the road,
Whistle, whistle, down the lane!
That's the laddie for my love,
Whistling in the rain.

[Illustration: Whistling in the rain]

THE WOODEN HORSE

I'm just a wooden horsy, and I work hard all the day
At hauling blocks and dollies in my little painted dray.

Sometimes they feed me make-believe, sometimes nothing at all,
And sometimes I'm left standing on my head out in the hall.

I try to be most patient, but 'twas just the other day
I got provoked with Teddy Bear and almost ran away.

REBECCA DEMING MOORE.

AFTER SCHOOL

I've come to you again, my dear. There's no more school today.
Let's cuddle down a little while before we go to play,
And you shall tell me what you've done, and whether you've felt sad.
I always hurry home because I know you'll be so glad.

I had a thought in school today--I quite forgot my book--
I seemed to see you waiting, and how lonely you must look,
And all the other children's dolls, ten thousand, I suppose,
All sitting up so patiently, and turning out their