Katharine Pyle

“ The old witch throws the window wide
And leans to look about outside. But while she’s peering all around
John creeps up close without a sound,
And shuts the window on her tight, And holds it down with all his might. ”

“ Nurse looked at him and gave a cry.
“Oh James! What shall we do!
It must have been the Magic Man
Who did this thing to you.
[170]
[171]
“I know when children misbehave
He often comes about,
And punishes their naughty ways
If he can find them out.”
And now mamma is called in haste.
She comes, and “Oh!” cries she,
“Whatever’s happened to your ears?
They are a sight to see!”
James tells her all the doleful tale,
But ah, ’tis very plain
The only thing is just to wait
And hope they’ll shrink again. ”

“ The older people often said,
“Now James, please run away.
You’re always, always hanging round
To hear what we may say.”
Once mother asked some ladies in
To drink a cup of tea,
And nurse said, “James, don’t go downstairs;
Come in the room with me.”
“I want to hear them talk,” said James.
“I like to listen, too.”
“But that’s exactly what mamma
Has told you not to do.”
“I’ll stay here, anyway,” said James,
And sat down on the stair,
And when nurse found he would not move
She went and left him there. ”

“ She never tries to shirk,
But helps, with ready cheerfulness,
At any kind of work.
[25]
[26]
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[28]
THE WITCH AND THE TRUANT BOYS
John is cleverer than the old witch
And he has her in a trap.
[29]
PETER and John, against the rule,
Are playing truant from their school. With eager steps away they go
To seek a fishing pool they know.
But see a witch is hiding there— She’ll catch them if they don’t take care.
Oh boys! make haste and hurry past! No—she has caught them tight and fast. ”

“ Now up, up, up, the ladder goes.
It’s up as high as Janie’s toes.
Up further still; it’s resting now
Its topmost rung against a bough.
Then quick a fireman, strong and brown
Runs up and lifts the poor child down.
And listen how the anxious crowd
That has been watching shouts aloud.
No need for any more alarms.
He’s placed her in her mother’s arms.
“Oh dear! I’ll never try,” sobs Jane
“To frighten any one again.”
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THE SWEET TOOTH
Alas poor Fred! So fat is he,
Only a pig could fatter be.
[127]
THE SWEET TOOTH
A SWEET-TOOTH was our Frederick. ”

“ But the old witch has heard the sound. And quick she turns herself around.
[32]
She peers about with blinking eyes,
“Where is that other boy?” she cries. “He can’t have run away so quick.
He must be hiding for a trick.” ”

“ Then she began to scream and call,
“Oh nurse, come quick! Oh! Oh! I’ll fall!”
Quickly her nurse came running out, And anxiously she looked about.
“Where are you, Jane? Where can you be?” “Here I am, nurse, up in the tree.”
[117]
Poor nurse was in a dreadful fright.
“Oh Jane!” she cried. “That is not right.”
“Come down! If your mamma should see
You know how worried she would be.”
Jane laughed aloud to see her fright, She thought it such a funny sight.
Now higher up the tree she went, On nurse’s further torment bent.
[118]
“Now look!” ”

“ They wrap her net about her,
They tie her tight in bed.
Now, even if she wakened
She scarce could lift her head!
“So there! that job is finished,”
Cries little Jane with glee.
“Unless someone unties her
She never can get free.” ”

“ So tight ’twill hold the old witch fast.
[35]
No matter how she squirms and cries,
She can’t get loose howe’er she tries. But now the little boys are free
To run on home, as you may see.
I’m sure it will be many a day Before again from school they stay.
As for the witch, if she’s stuck tight Until this day it serves her right. ”

“ She’d stand about and whine,
“I do not see why every one
Has better things than mine.
“Jane’s doll is prettier than mine.
John has a better ball.
The one Aunt Sarah gave to me
Will hardly bounce at all. ”