I've sat and watched you a long, long while, And not since I came have you ceased to smile. So it strikes me as wrong to arouse you, boy, From sleep that's so plainly a sleep of joy. 'Twill make a big diff'rence tonight, of course, But p'rhaps you are riding a real live horse; In dreams, it's a pleasant and harmless sport, So why should I cruelly cut it short? Maybe you have for your very own A piece of pie or an ice cream cone; If that's your amusement, why end it quick? Dream-food can't possibly make you sick. Orders are orders and I'm afraid It's trouble for me if they're disobeyed. But I'll bet if the boss could see you, son, She'd put off the duty, as I have done. [Illustration] [Illustration] HIS WONDERFUL CHOO-CHOOS When I see his wonderful choo-choo trains, Which he daily builds with infinite pains, Whose cars are a crazy and curious lot-- A doll, a picture, a pepper pot, A hat, a pillow, a horse, a book, A pote, a mintie, a button hook, A bag of tobacco, a piece of string, A pair of wubbas, a bodkin ring, A deck of twos and a paper box, A brush, a comb and a lot of blocks-- When I first gaze on his wonderful trains, Which he daily builds with infinite pains, I laugh, and I think to myself, "O gee! Was ever a child as cute as he?" But when he's gone to his cozy nest, From the toil of his strenuous day to rest, And when I gaze on his trains once more, Where they lie, abandoned, across the floor, And when the terrible task I face Of putting each "Pullman" back in its place, I groan a little, and think, "O gee! Was ever a child as mean as he?" GLOSSARY Bodkin--A napkin Mintie--A mitten. Pote--A pencil. Twos--Cards. [Illustration] [Illustration] COUSINLY AFFECTION Why do you love your Cousin Paull? For his sweet face, his smile, and all The little tricks that charm us so? You're not quite old enough to know How cute he is; to realize How clever for a child his size. I'm sure you can't appreciate The things that make us think him great. And yet you love your Cousin Paull. Is it because he's twice as small As you, just right for you to maul? Because he won't fight back, or bawl? Because when he is pushed he'll fall? And, where most kids would howl and squall, He takes it, nor puts in a call For mother? Am I warm at all? Is this why you love Cousin Paull? [Illustration] [Illustration] MY BABY'S GARDEN My baby has a garden, "Planted" four days ago, And nearly half his waking hours He spends among his precious flowers With sprinkling can and hoe. My baby has a garden, And Oh, how proud he is When, yielding to his pleading, we Lay work aside and go to see This masterpiece of his!