26
AUNT ANNIE.
"He used to tell me, when a child,
Of far, strange countries, where they say
The flowers bloom all the year"—she smiled—
"I can't believe it, to this day!
Of far, strange countries, where they say
The flowers bloom all the year"—she smiled—
"I can't believe it, to this day!
"And still I think he may have crossed
The sea—and stayed the other side.
His letters may have all been lost—
'Who knows? Who knows¢ The world is wide.
The sea—and stayed the other side.
His letters may have all been lost—
'Who knows? Who knows¢ The world is wide.
"I often think, if you could know
How much he makes me think of him,
You 'd guess why I love Victor so."
Again the troubled eyes were dim.
How much he makes me think of him,
You 'd guess why I love Victor so."
Again the troubled eyes were dim.
"If your child, such a night, were out
Lost in this dark and snow and sleet,
You would go wild, I do not doubt."
I almost heard her own heart beat.
Lost in this dark and snow and sleet,
You would go wild, I do not doubt."
I almost heard her own heart beat.
"Yet long, on stormier nights than this,
Mine has been out—why should I care
How many a winter now it is?
Mine has been out—and He knows where."
Mine has been out—why should I care
How many a winter now it is?
Mine has been out—and He knows where."
