EXTREMES [Illustration] I A little boy once played so loud That the Thunder, up in a thunder-cloud, Said, "Since I can't be heard, why, then I'll never, never thunder again!" [Illustration] II And a little girl once kept so still That she heard a fly on the window-sill Whisper and say to a lady-bird,-- "She's the stilliest child I ever heard!" * * * * * INTELLECTUAL LIMITATIONS Parunts knows lots more than us, But they don't know _all_ things,-- 'Cause we ketch 'em, lots o' times, Even on little small things. One time Winnie ask' her Ma, At the winder, sewin', What's the wind a-doin' when It's a-not a-_blowin_'? Yes, an' 'Del', that very day, When we're nearly froze out, He ask' Uncle _where_ it goes When the fire goes out? Nen _I_ run to ask my Pa, That way, somepin' funny; But I can't say ist but "Say," When he turn to me an' say, "Well, what is it, Honey?" * * * * * [Illustration: "WHERE IT GOES WHEN THE FIRE GOES OUT?"] * * * * * A MASQUE OF THE SEASONS Scene.--_A kitchen.--Group of Children, popping corn.--The Fairy Queen of the Seasons discovered in the smoke of the corn-popper.--Waving her wand, and, with eerie, sharp, imperious ejaculations, addressing the bespelled auditors, who neither see nor hear her nor suspect her presence._ QUEEN Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,-- Which do you like the best of all? LITTLE JASPER When I'm dressed warm as warm can be, And with boots, to go Through the deepest snow, Winter-time is the time for me! QUEEN Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,-- Which do you like the best of all? LITTLE MILDRED I like blossoms, and birds that sing; The grass and the dew, And the sunshine, too,-- So, best of all I like the Spring. QUEEN Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,-- Which do you like the best of all? LITTLE MANDEVILLE O little friends, I most rejoice When I hear the drums As the Circus comes,-- So Summer-time's my special choice. QUEEN Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,-- Which do you like the best of all? LITTLE EDITH Apples of ruby, and pears of gold, And grapes of blue That the bee stings through.-- Fall--it is all that my heart can hold! * * * * * [Illustration: "THE FAIRY QUEEN OF THE SEASONS."] * * * * * QUEEN Soh! my lovelings and pretty dears, You've _each_ a favorite, it appears,-- Summer and Winter and Spring and Fall.-- That's the reason I send them _all_! * * * * * THOMAS THE PRETENDER