. . .
was always looked to for something that made you feel good, and funny all over, and desirous of seeing and doing beautiful things as well as hearing the beautiful thing she was reading or telling or reciting.
What they loved best was some of Mummy's own poetry. Even if they could not understand a word of it, it was so satisfying to the ear, so musical and beautiful — besides being Mummy's very own. That was perhaps the chief element of the pleasure of listening to the sweet and sonorous sounds, the pleasing and satisfying rhythm. There was also the element of pride in the fact that not all children have a Mummy who can read them her own poetry. . . .
"Don't try poetry, Buster dear," continued Boodle. "You can't do it like Mummy. Make up a nice Toshy tale if you are going to talk Tosh. . . . I think the best Tosh I know is
'Three Wise Men of Gotham
Went to sea in a bowl.
If the bowl had been stronger
My story had been longer. . . .'
I love that. It tells you they were Asses without saying so, and it tells you they were
