TO THREE PUZZLED LITTLE GIRLS, FROM THE AUTHOR

(To the three Misses Drury.)

Three little maidens weary of the rail,

Three pairs of little ears listening to a tale,

Three little hands held out in readiness,

For three little puzzles very hard to guess.

Three pairs of little eyes, open wonder-wide,

At three little scissors lying side by side.

Three little mouths that thanked an unknown Friend,

For one little book, he undertook to send.

Though whether they'll remember a friend, or book, or day—

In three little weeks is very hard to say.

August 1869.