Stories to Tell to Children

EARLY[1]

[1] From The singing Leaves, by Josephine Preston Peabody (Houghton, Mifflin and Co.).

  I like to lie and wait to see
    My mother braid her hair.
  It is as long as it can be,
    And yet she doesn't care.
  I love my mother's hair.

  And then the way her fingers go;
    They look so quick and white,—
  In and out, and to and fro,
    And braiding in the light,
  And it is always right.

  So then she winds it, shiny brown,
  Around her head into a crown,
    Just like the day before.
  And then she looks and pats it down,
    And looks a minute more;
  While I stay here all still and cool.
  Oh, isn't morning beautiful?