Meg trembled like a leaf when it was all over, and her father was afraid that she would be more nervously timid than ever. But to his surprise she said to him as they walked home, "Papa, now I've seen how everything is done, I shall never be afraid any more."
And just after she said so they met the engine on its way back, for the fire was already out.
Ring-a-ring-a-roses, A pocket full of posies; Hush! hush! hush! hush! We're all tumbled down.
Little maid, little maid, Whither goest thou? Down in the meadow To milk my cow.
Seesaw--Jack in the hedge, Which is the way to London Bridge?
As I was going up Pippin Hill, Pippin Hill was dirty; There I met a pretty lass, And she dropped me a courtesy.
Goosey, goosey, gander, Where shall I wander? Up stairs and down stairs, And in my lady's chamber.
As Tommy Snooks and Bessie Brooks Were walking out one Sunday; Says Tommy Snooks to Bessie Brooks, "To-morrow--will be Monday."
Georgie Peorgie, pudding and pie, Kissed the girls and made them cry: When the girls came out to play, Georgie Peorgie ran away.
My mother and your mother Went over the way; Said my mother to your mother, "It's a chop-a-nose day."
Tom, Tom, the piper's son, Learned to play when he was young. And with his pipe made such a noise, That he pleased all the girls and boys.
Now that the leaves are falling, and the wind is whistling round the eaves and roaring down the chimneys, we must think of pleasant things to do in-doors. Who likes to toss a bean-bag back and forth? We know of no exercise so simple, so easy, and so well calculated to develop the muscles of the arms and chest as this pretty, graceful game of throwing the bean-bag. Take some strong calico from your mother's piece-bag, and make a square case of any size you please, sewing it all up except one little space, into which you must pour your beans. Having done this, sew up that corner tightly, and your bag will be made. Two or three bean-bags will be necessary if there are several young people to enjoy the frolic. A good time for this special game is the last half-hour before dusk, and if you can coax mamma and auntie to join you, all the better.
Jack-stones are favorites with many children. Little silk bags filled with rice are sometimes substituted for stones in this game. They make a sweet and musical _swishing_ sound as they are thrown up and caught.