they 're creeping , Up about my rocking-chair : I can feel their loving fingers Clasp my neck and touch my hair . Little shadows , little shadows , Take me captive , hold me tight , As they climb and cling and whisper , ` Mother dear , good night ! good night ! ' '' As the song ended , the real children , as well as the shadows , lovingly kissed mamma , and said `` Good-night ; '' then went away into their rooms , said their prayers , and nestled down into their beds . Ned slept alone in the room next that which Polly and Will had ; and , after lying quiet a little while , he called out softly : `` I say , Polly , are you asleep ? '' `` No : I 'm thinking what a queer day we 've had , '' answered Polly . `` It 's been a good day , and I 'm glad we tried our wish ; for the shadows showed us , as well as they could , what we ought to do and be . I sha n't forget it , shall you ? '' said Ned . `` No : I 'm much obliged for the lesson . '' `` So is I , '' called out Will , in a very earnest , but rather a sleepy , little voice . `` I wonder what mamma will say , when we tell her about it , '' said Ned . `` And I wonder if our shadows will come back to us at midnight , and follow us as they used to do , '' added Polly . `` I shall be very careful where I lead my shadow ; 'cause he 's a good little one , and set me a righter zarmple than ever I did him , '' said Will , and then dropped asleep . The others agreed with him , and resolved that their shadows should not be ashamed of them . All were fast asleep ; and no one but the moon saw the shadows come stealing back at midnight , and , having danced about the little beds , vanish as the clock struck twelve . VI . POPPY 'S PRANKS . She was n't a wilfully naughty child , this harum-scarum Poppy , but very thoughtless and very curious . She wanted to see every thing , do every thing , and go every where : she feared nothing , and so was continually getting into scrapes .
Her pranks began early ; for , when she was about four , her mamma one XXXXX gave her a pair of green shoes with bright buttons .
Mother Ned Polly VI Will day midnight rocking-chair stealing zarmple