"O dear Mama," said little Fred,
"Put baby down--take me instead;
Upon the carpet let her be
Put baby down, and take up me."
No, that, my dear, I cannot do,
You know I used to carry you;
But you are now grown strong and stout,
And you can run and play about.
When Fanny is as old as you,
No doubt but what she'll do so too;
And when she grows a little stronger,
I mean to carry her no longer.
[Illustration]