How we did do on Father's money

Is more than I can tell:

There was the money from the honey,

And Mother's work as well;

For she did work with no more rest

Than the buzzing bees,

And the sight I knew and lov'd the best

Was Mother on her knees.

When we were fed and clean for school,

Out Mother goes,

Rinsing, rubbing, her hands full

Of other people's clothes.

If there's one thought above another

Sets my heart singing,

It's thinking of my little sweet Mother,

Her arms full of linen.

And yet she rul'd her house and all

Us girls within it;

There was no meal but we could fall

To it at the minute;

 Prev. P 19/82 next