"Speaking of the seashore reminds me of another piece of Mr. Crow's
poetry, and if you can stand any more, I wish you would, because I think
this is really good."
As a matter of course your Aunt Amy could do no less than say she would
be pleased to hear it, and Mrs. Mouser recited that which is set down
here:
To little John Adolphus Chubb
Your kind attention I invite;
Oh, how he loves to bathe and scrub,
Each day at noon and eke at night.
Now John Adolphus William Chubb
A fine young elephant is he;
And when he's in his little tub,
Oh, 'tis a pleasant sight to see!
His nurse,--a motherly old thing--
No need to coax the rogue has she;
Adolphus, when he sees her bring
The water, trumpets in his glee.
[Illustration: Johnny Chubb.]
Oh, how he loves the cold, cold stream
Descending on him in the tub!
He feels as if he'd like to scream--
He loves it so--does William Chubb.
And then, the evening's washing o'er
(Though he could wish it lasted still),
His nurse will gay, "Come, come, no more;
You've had enough now, Master Will!"
So swift he's dried, his night-gown on,
A night-cap tied upon his head,
And to the rattle's music,
John Adolphus William goes to bed.
[Illustration: Johnny Goes to Bed.]
"I don't think that is very nice poetry," your Aunt Amy said when Mrs.
Mouser had come to the end of the verses. "It is too ridiculous."
"That may be; but I have heard some of your friends, like Mr. Turtle,
for example, tell you even worse than that," and Mrs. Mouser spoke quite
sharply. "Now if you want a really pretty little story, that hasn't got
much fun in it, I can tell you one about two mice, and it must be true,
because I had it from a cat friend of mine who was on the spot."