He wanders with you feebly, and with slow,
wandering paces, upon the verge of the great universe of thought. His
little eye sparkles with some vague fancy that comes upon him first by
language. Madge teaches him the words of affection and of thankfulness;
and she teaches him to lisp infant prayer; and by secret pains (how
could she be so secret?) instructs him in some little phrase of
endearment that she knows will touch your heart; and then she watches
your coming; and the little fellow runs toward you, and warbles out his
lesson of love in tones that forbid you any answer,--save only those
brimming eyes, turned first on her, and then on him,--and poorly
concealed by the quick embrace, and the kisses which you shower in
transport! Still slip on the years, like brimming bowls of nectar!
Another Madge is sister to Frank; and a little Nelly is younger sister
to this other Madge.
----Three of them! a charmed and mystic number, which, if it be broken
in these young days,--as, alas, it may be!--will only yield a cherub
angel to float over you, and to float over them,--to wean you, and to
wean them, from this world, where all joys do perish, to that seraph
world where joys do last forever.
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