That when the wind went wailing so
Somebody had been bad;
And then, when I was snug in bed,
Whither I had been sent,
With the blankets pulled up round my head, 5
I'd think of what my mother'd said,
And wonder what boy she meant!
And "Who's been bad to-day?" I'd ask
Of the wind that hoarsely blew,
And the voice would say in its meaningful way: 10
"Yoooooooo!
Yoooooooo!
Yoooooooo!"

That this was true I must allow--
You'll not believe it, though! 15
Yes, though I'm quite a model now,
I was not always so.
And if you doubt what things I say,
Suppose you make the test;
Suppose, when you've been bad some day 20
And up to bed are sent away
From mother and the rest--
Suppose you ask, "Who has been bad?"
And then you'll hear what's true;
For the wind will moan in its ruefulest tone:
"Yoooooooo!
Yoooooooo! 5
Yoooooooo!"

FOOTNOTE:

[3] From "Poems of Childhood," published by Messrs. Charles Scribner's
Sons.

THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH

AMERICA, 1836-

Marjorie's Almanac[4]

Robins in the tree top,
Blossoms in the grass,
Green things a-growing
Everywhere you pass
Sudden little breezes, 5
Showers of silver dew,
Black bough and bent twig
Budding out anew;
Pine tree and willow tree,
Fringed elm, and larch,--
Don't you think that May-time's
Pleasanter than March?

Apples in the orchard 5
Mellowing one by one;
Strawberries upturning
Soft cheeks to the sun;
Roses faint with sweetness,
Lilies fair of face, 10
Drowsy scents and murmurs
Haunting every place;
Lengths of golden sunshine,
Moonlight bright as day--
Don't you think that summer's 1