Emmeline Came slipping between The two tall trees at the end of the green. We all ran up to her. “Emmeline! Where have you been? Where have you been? Why, it’s more than a week!” And Emmeline Said, “Sillies, I went and saw the Queen. She says my hands are _purfickly_ clean!” [Illustration: Grubby girl holding out her hands] TEDDY BEAR A bear, however hard he tries, Grows tubby without exercise. Our Teddy Bear is short and fat Which is not to be wondered at; He gets what exercise he can By falling off the ottoman, But generally seems to lack The energy to clamber back. [Illustration: Toys on bed, teddy bear on floor] Now tubbiness is just the thing Which gets a fellow wondering; And Teddy worried lots about The fact that he was rather stout. He thought: “If only I were thin! But how does anyone begin?” He thought: “It really isn’t fair To grudge me exercise and air.” For many weeks he pressed in vain His nose against the window-pane, And envied those who walked about Reducing their unwanted stout. None of the people he could see “Is quite” (he said) “as fat as me!” Then, with a still more moving sigh, “I mean” (he said) “as fat as I!” [Illustration: Teddy bear looking in mirror] Now Teddy, as was only right, Slept in the ottoman at night, And with him crowded in as well More animals than I can tell; Not only these, but books and things, Such as a kind relation brings— Old tales of “Once upon a time,” And history retold in rhyme. One night it happened that he took A peep at an old picture-book, Wherein he came across by chance The picture of a King of France (A stoutish man) and, down below, These words: “King Louis So and So, Nicknamed ‘The Handsome!’” There he sat, _And_ (_think of it!_) _the man was fat!_ [Illustration: Teddy bear reading open book] Our bear rejoiced like anything To read about this famous King, _Nicknamed “The Handsome.”_ There he sat, And certainly the man was fat. _Nicknamed “The Handsome.”_ Not a doubt The man was definitely stout. Why then, a bear (for all his tub) Might yet be named “The Handsome Cub!” “Might yet be named.” Or did he mean That years ago he “might have been”? For now he felt a slight misgiving: “Is Louis So and So still living? Fashions in beauty have a way Of altering from day to day. Is ‘Handsome Louis’ with us yet? Unfortunately I forget.” [Illustration: Teddy bear seated in window] Next morning (nose to window-pane) The doubt occurred to him again. One question hammered in his head: “Is he alive or is he dead?” Thus, nose to pane, he pondered; but The lattice window, loosely shut, Swung open. With one startled “Oh!” Our Teddy disappeared below.