`` Lights ? '' said I , `` you speak as if she flew . '' `` She rides on a bird . Hurrah ! the old sweeper has lit . Now the cobwebs will fly . Do n't hurry back , '' shouted the man ; and a faint , far-off voice answered , `` I shall be back again by and by . '' The people folded up the blanket , looking much relieved ; and I was examining a very odd house which was built by an ancient king called Boggen , when Margery Daw , a dirty little girl , came up the hill , screaming , at the top of her voice : `` She 's come ! she 's come ! '' Every one looked up ; and I saw a large white bird slowly flying over the island . On its back sat the nicest old woman that ever was seen : all the others were nothing compared to her . She had a pointed hat on over her cap , a red cloak , high-heeled shoes , and a crutch in her hand . She smiled and nodded as the bird approached ; and every one ran and nodded , and screamed , `` Welcome ! welcome , mother ! '' As soon as she touched the ground , she was so surrounded that I could only see the top of her hat ; for hundreds and hundreds of little children suddenly appeared , like a great flock of birds , -- rosy , happy , pretty children ; but all looked unreal , and among them I saw some who looked like little people I had known long ago . `` Who are they ? '' I asked of a bonny lass , who was sitting on a cushion , eating strawberries and cream . `` They are the phantoms of all the little people who ever read and loved our mother 's songs , '' said the maid . `` What did she write ? '' I asked , feeling very queer , and as if I was going to remember something .
`` Songs that are immortal ; and you have them in your hand , '' replied the XXXXX maid , smiling at my stupidity .
Boggen Daw Hurrah bonny children house phantoms shoes something sweeper