The Leak in the Dike

The Leak in the Dike.
212.1

The wood dame looked from her cottage At the close of the pleasant day, (And cheerily cailed to her little won Outalde the door at play: Come, Peter, come! I want you to go. While there is light in see, To the hut of the blind old man who ilves Across the dike fas nie And take these cakes i made for him- “They are hot and amoking yet You have time enough to go and come Before the sun is set,”
Then the good wife turned to her inbor. Humming a simple song. And thouent of the husband working hard At the sluices all day long. And yet the turf a blazing And brought the coarse black bread That he might find a fire at night. And find the table spread.
And Peter left the brother, With whom all day he had plaved And the sister who had watched their sports In the willows’ tender shade And told them they’d see him back before They saw a star in sight Though he wouldn’t be afraid to ko In the very darkest night! For he was a brave, bright fellow, With eye and conscience clear He could do whatever a boy might do, And he had not learned to fear. Why, he wouldn’t have robbed a bird’s nest, Nor brought a stork to harm. Though never a law in Holland Had stood to stay bis urm!
And now, with his face all glowing And eve na bright as day. With the thoughts of his pleasant errand He trudged along the way: And soon his joyous pratile Made iad a lonesome place Alas! If only the blind old man Could have seen that happy face! Yet he somehow caucht the brightness Which his voice and presence lent, And he felt the sunshine come and go. As Peter came and webt.
-Phoebe Cary