Rich were we in the memory of those opulent months that had gone from us -- richer than we then knew or suspected . And before us was the dream of spring . It is always safe to dream of spring . For it is sure to come ; and if it be not just as we have pictured it , it will be infinitely sweeter . DING-DONG ! Ding-dong ! Ding-dong ! The town crier has rung his bell , at a distant corner , and little Annie stands on her father 's doorsteps , trying to hear what the man with the loud voice is talking about . Let me listen too . O , he is telling the people that an elephant , and a lion , and a royal tiger , and a horse with horns , and other strange beasts from foreign countries , have come to town , and will receive all visitors who choose to wait upon them ! Perhaps little Annie would like to go . Yes ; and I can see that the pretty child is weary of this wide and pleasant street , with the green trees flinging their shade across the quiet sunshine , and the pavements and the sidewalks all as clean as if the housemaid had just swept them with her broom . She feels that impulse to go strolling away -- that longing after the mystery of the great world -- which many children feel , and which I felt in my childhood . Little Annie shall take a ramble with me . See ! I do but hold out my hand , and , like some bright bird in the sunny air , with her blue silk frock fluttering upwards from her white pantalets , she comes bounding on tiptoe across the street . Smooth back your brown curls , Annie ; and let me tie on your bonnet , and we will set forth ! What a strange couple to go on their rambles together ! One walks in black attire , with a measured step , and a heavy brow , and his thoughtful eyes bent down , while the gay little girl trips lightly along , as if she were forced to keep hold of my hand , lest her feet should dance away from the earth . Yet there is sympathy between us .
If I pride myself XXXXX anything , it is because I have a smile that children love ; and , on the other hand , there are few grown ladies that could entice me from the side of little Annie ; for I delight to let my mind go hand in hand with the mind of a sinless child .
across as at before if in on than to while