Great-aunt Lucy Lee
: UNCLES AND AUNTS AND OTHER RELATIVES: Boys And Girls Bookshelf
By Cora Walker Hayes
Sometimes when I am tired of play
My mother says to me,
"Come, daughter, we will call to-day
On Great-aunt Lucy Lee."
And soon, by mother's side, I skip
Along the quiet street,
Where tall old trees, on either side,
Throw shadows at my feet.
The houses stand in solemn
And not a child is seen;
The blinds are drawn, the doors are shut,
The walks are span and clean.
Then when we come to number three,
I stretch my hand up--so!
And find the old brass knocker's ring;
I rap, and in we go.
There Great-aunt Lucy, small and prim,
Sits by the chimney-piece;
Her knitting-needles clicking go,
And never seem to cease.
Aunt Lucy's eyes are blue and kind,
Her wrinkled face is fair;
She hides with cap or snowy lace
Her pretty silver hair.
Aunt Lucy's voice is sweet and low,
Her smile is quick and bright;
She wears a gown of lavender,
And kerchief soft and white.
I fold my hands in front of me
And sit quite still and staid,
Till Great-aunt Lucy, smiling, says,
"Come hither, little maid!"
There Great-aunt Lucy small and prim
Sits by the chimney-piece
Her knitting needles clicking go
And never seem to cease]
[Picture:
Pale roses of a hundred leaves
Sweet-William, Four-o'clocks
Pinks, daisies, bleeding-hearts and things
All bordered round with box]
And from her silken bag she takes
A peppermint or two,
And questions me about my play,
My school, my dolls, the Zoo.
And then she rings for Hannah, who
Comes hobbling stiffly in,
With sugared cakes and jelly-tarts
Upon a shining tin.
When I have eaten all I can,
Aunt Lucy bids me go
Into the garden, where all kinds
Of lovely flowers grow.
Pale roses of a hundred leaves,
Sweet-william, four-o'clocks,
Pinks, daisies, bleeding-hearts and things
All bordered 'round with box.
And there's an arbor, where the grapes
Hang low enough to reach;
A plum-tree just across the path,
And by the wall a peach.
And oh! I think it very nice
To come and visit here;
The house, the garden and the folks
All seem so very queer!
And though I am well satisfied
A while to romp and play,--
A wee old lady, kind and dear,
I want to be some day;
And so I hope that when I, too,
Have grown to eighty-three,
I'll be a lovely lady like
My Great-aunt Lucy Lee.
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