"Mother has sent me to the well,
To fetch a jug of water,
And I am very glad to be
A useful little daughter;
That's why I cannot play
With you and Mary Ann to-day.
"Some afternoon I'll come with you,
And make you wreaths and posies;
I know a place where blue-bells grow,
And daisies and primroses;
But not to-day, for I must go
And help my mother, dears, you know.
"She says, that I am nearly eight,
So I can fill the kettle,
And sweep the room and clean the grate,
And even scrub a little;
Oh! I'm so very glad to be
A little useful girl, you see.
"So Johnny, do not ask to-day--
Perhaps I'll come to morrow;
But you'd not wish me now to stay,
And give my mother sorrow.
When she can spare me, she will say,
'Now, Susan, you may go and play.'"
[Illustration: Lucy Gray and Father.]