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

  Tommy’s alluz playin’ jokes,
  An’ actin’ up, an’ foolin’ folks;
    An’ wunst one time he creep
  In Pa’s big chair, he did, one night,
  An’ squint an’ shut his eyes bofe tight,
    An’ say, “Now I ’m asleep.” 
  An’ nen we knowed, an’ Ma know’ too,
  He ain’t asleep no more ’n you!