es
That ripened by the way,
And with her basket full to brim
This was the best of play.

So many things, so many,
Far more than I can say,
Our Nanny in her childhood
Has "played that it was play."

{272}

_NANNY'S LESSONS._

Our Nanny was but four years old
When mother said, "My love,
Your needle learn with skill to use,
It will a blessing prove."

So Nanny learned to "overhand,"
And "hem" so fine and neat,
To "backstitch," "run," and many a join
That she could scarce repeat.

{273}

She learned to "catch-stitch" and to "cross,"
To "patch" and "darn," as well,
To "gather," "plait," "box-plait" and "side,"
To "feather-stitch" and "fell."

She sewed the buttons fast, and "worked
The buttonholes" so neat,
That many an eld accomplishes
With less success, the feat.

"Be sure your thread is smooth and strong,
A goodly knot or two,
A double stitch for first, and then
A fastening sure when through;

"And thus your seams will never rip,
Your sewing never wear,--
Like buttons loose and hooks awry,--
A slip-shod, shiftless air."

All this and more her mother taught,
And Nanny conned it o'er
Till she was versed in all the arts
That point the seamster's lore.

{274}

{275}

Her ninth birthday, and mother said
"You're old enough to care
For all your clothing now, my child,
Except the best you wear.

"And here, within this little chest,
And in this drawer wide,
You'll keep them ranged so neat and nice,
Whatever may betide.

"A place for this, a place for that,
Each garment grouped aright,
That you may lay your little hand
Upon it, day or night.

"No garment must be laid within,
Except it ready be,
To don and wear, for thus you spare
Us trouble, you and me."

And Nanny, pleased with mother's trust,
Accepted it with pride,
And, in her heart, the lessons learned
Forevermore abide.

{276}

_NANNY'S RIDE._

Our Nanny oft in fancy
Soared up, the earth above,
And sailed the great air-ocean
With skylark or with dove.

And in this fashion musing,
One sunny summer's day,
Half-watching mother mending
And baby-brother play,

Without a word of warning
The old umbrella came,
Opened upside down before her,
And whispered soft her name.

{277}

"Come, Nanny you've been lon