They looked behind , before , and on either side ; but nowhere could they see them . `` They were with us at the corner , '' said Will . `` Let 's run back , and try to find them , '' said Polly . `` No , let 'em go : I 'm tired of minding mine , and do n't care if I never see it again , '' said Ned . `` Do n't say so ; for I remember hearing about a man who sold his shadow , and then got into lots of trouble because he had none . We promised to follow them , and we must , '' said Polly . `` I wish , '' began Ned in a pet ; but Polly clapped her hand over his mouth , saying : `` Pray , do n't wish now ; for it may come to pass as the man 's wish in the fairy tale did , and the black pudding flew up and stuck tight to his wife 's nose . '' This made Ned laugh , and they all turned back to the corner . Looking up the hilly road , they saw the three shadows trudging along , as if bent on getting home in good time . Without saying a word , the children followed ; and , when they got to the garden gate , they all said at once : `` Are n't you glad you came ? '' Under the elm-tree stood a pretty tea-table , covered with bread and butter , custards , and berries , and in the middle a fine cake with sugar-roses on the top ; and mamma and baby , all nicely dressed , were waiting to welcome them to the birthday feast . Polly crowned the little queen , Ned gave her a willow whistle he had made , and Will some pretty , bright pebbles he had found ; and Miss Baby was as happy as a bird , with her treasures . A pleasant supper-time ; then the small duties for each one ; and then the go-to-bed frolic . The nursery was a big room , and in the evening a bright wood fire always burned there for baby . Mamma sat before it , softly rubbing baby 's little rosy limbs before she went to bed , singing and telling stories meanwhile to the three children who pranced about in their long nightgowns . This evening they had a gay time ; for the shadows amused them by all sorts of antics , and kept them laughing till they were tired . As they sat resting on the big sofa , they heard a soft , sweet voice singing . It was n't mamma ; for she was only talking to baby , and this voice sang a real song . Presently they saw mamma 's shadow on the wall , and found it was the shadow-mother singing to the shadow-children . They listened intently , and this is what they heard : `` Little shadows , little shadows , Dancing on the chamber wall , While I sit beside the hearthstone Where the red flames rise and fall .
Caps and XXXXX , caps and nightgowns , My three antic shadows wear ; And no sound they make in playing , For the six small feet are bare .
Baby Ned Polly evening fire hearthstone nightgowns shadow-children sugar-roses supper-time