From The Short Story Shadow-Children

Little shadows, little

Dancing on the chamber wall,

While I sit beside the

Where the red flames rise and fall.

Caps and nightgowns, caps and nightgowns,

My three antic shadows wear;

And no sound they make in playing,

For the six small feet are bare.

Dancing gayly, dancing gayly,

To and fro all together,

Like a family of

Blown about in windy weather;

Nimble fairies, nimble fairies,

Playing pranks in the warm glow,

While I sing the nursery

Childish phantoms love and know.

Now what happens, now what happens?

One small shadow's tumbled down:

I can see it on the

Softly rubbing its hurt crown.

No one whimpers, no one whimpers;

A brave-hearted sprite is this:

See! the others offer

In a silent, shadowy kiss.

Hush! they're creeping; hush! they're creeping,

Up about my rocking-chair:

I can feel their loving

Clasp my neck and touch my hair.

Little shadows, little shadows,

Take me captive, hold me tight,

As they climb and cling and whisper,"Mother dear, good night! good night!"