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 bonny maid , smiling at my stupidity . I looked ; and there , on the cover of the book I had been reading so busily when the tide carried me away , I saw the words `` Mother Goose 's Melodies . '' I was so delighted that I had seen her I gave a shout , and tried to get near enough to hug and kiss the dear old soul , as the swarm of children were doing ; but my cry woke me , and I was so sorry to find it all a dream ! XI . FANCY 'S FRIEND . It was a wagon , shaped like a great square basket , on low wheels , and drawn by a stout donkey . There was one seat , on which Miss Fairbairn the governess sat ; and all round her , leaning over the edge of the basket , were children , with little wooden shovels and baskets in their hands , going down to play on the beach . Away they went , over the common , through the stony lane , out upon the wide , smooth sands . All the children but one immediately fell to digging holes , and making ponds , castles , or forts . They did this every day , and were never tired of it ; but little Fancy made new games for herself , and seldom dug in the sand .
She had a garden of sea-weed , which the waves watered every day : she had a palace of pretty shells , where she kept all sorts of little water-creatures as fairy tenants ; she had friends and playmates among the gulls and peeps , and learned curious things by watching crabs , horse-shoes , and jelly-fishes ; and every XXXXX she looked for a mermaid .
Fairbairn Melodies Mother XI bonny day people phantoms sands shoes