Chapter V

Kate had quarrelled and would not speak
To Cousin John,
Who, trying to kiss her on the cheek,
With her bonnet on,
Had crumpled her bonnet at the border,
And put the trimming in disorder.

“Pray let me kiss you, Katy dear,”
Said John so gay.
“Now. Master John,” said Kate severe,
“Please get away!
And if you don’t, I only hope
You’ll get hit with my skipping-rope!”

Skip, skip,
Never trip;
Round and round!
“Does it touch the ground?
Don’t I skip well?” said sulky Kate;
But, oh, at last
Her feet stuck fast--
Her pretty feet,
So small and neat,
Were glued by magic to the skipping-cord,
Which turned into a Swing! And then my lord
Johnny said, “This is fine, upon my word!”

Backwards and forwards Katy swung;--
To the magic rope, which by nothing hung,
Frightened out of her breath she clung--
An apple for the Queen, and a pear for the King!
Wasn’t that a wonderful swing?
It kept on going like anything!

“John!” said Katy, turning faint,
And the colour of white paint,
“Save me from this dreadful swing!”
Then our Johnny made a spring
Up to Kate, and held her tight,
And kissed her twice, with all his might,
Which stopped the magic swing; and Katy then
Said, “Thank you, Jack!” and kissed him back again.

VI

Then the Children all said, “She spoils our play:
We must really get Queen Mab away;
She mustn’t bewitch our Toys too much.
Who will speak to her? Does she talk Dutch?
John knows Magic, and Greek, and such;
No one than John can be cleverer--
Perhaps he knows how to get rid of her!”