So with Stevenson's own words the book is yours: "Go little book, and wish to all, Flowers in the garden, meat in the hall, A living river by the door, A nightingale in the sycamore." E. O. G. TO ALISON CUNNINGHAM FROM HER BOY [Illustration] For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted: For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold! And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice! R. L. S. CONTENTS PAGE BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION 5 TO ALISON CUNNINGHAM 8 BED IN SUMMER 13 YOUNG NIGHT THOUGHT 15 RAIN 16 MY SHADOW 17 TIME TO RISE 20 AT THE SEASIDE 21 WINDY NIGHTS 22 PIRATE STORY 24 WHOLE DUTY OF CHILDREN 27 FOREIGN LANDS 28 SYSTEM 30 A GOOD PLAY 32 THE LAND OF COUNTERPANE 33 A GOOD BOY 34 LOOKING FORWARD 36 THE SWING 37 GOOD AND BAD CHILDREN 38 MARCHING SONG 40 TRAVEL 42 WHERE GO THE BOATS? 46 ESCAPE AT BEDTIME 48 FROM A RAILWAY CARRIAGE 50 THE WIND 52