Oh, Mary, this will never do!
This work is sadly done, my dear,
And such little of it too!
You have not taken pains, I fear.
On no, your work has been forgotten,
Indeed you've hardly thought of that;
I saw you roll your ball of cotton
About the floor to please the cat.
See, here are stitches straggling wide,
And others reaching down so far;
I'm very sure you have not tried
At all to-day to please mamma.
The little girl who will not sew
Should never be allowed to play;
But then I hope, my love, that you
Will take more pains another day.