"Wee Willie Winkie Rins through the toun, Up stairs an' doon stairs In his nicht-goun, Tirlin' at the window, Crying at the lock, 'Are the weans in their bed, For it's noo ten o'clock?'
"'Hey Willie Winkie, Are ye comin' ben! The cat's singin' gray thrums To the sleepin' hen, The dog's speldert on the floor, And disna gi'e a cheep, But here's a waakrife laddie! That winna fa' asleep.'
"'Onything but sleep, you rogue! Glow'rin' like the moon! Rattlin' in an airn jug Wi' an airn spoon, Rumblin', tumblin' roun' about, Crawin' like a cock, Skirlin' like a kenna-what, Wauk'nin' sleepin' folk.
"'Hey, Willie Winkie, The wean's in a creel! Wamblin' aff a bodie's knee Like a verra eel, Ruggin' at the cat's lug, And ravelin' a' her thrums,-- Hey, Willie Winkie,-- See, there he comes!'
"Wearied is the mither That has a stoorie wean, A wee stumpie stousie, Wha canna rin his lane, That has a battle aye wi' sleep Afore he'll close an e'e,-- But ae kiss frae aff his rosy lips Gi'es strength anew to me."
Is not this good? first-rate! The cat singin' gray thrums, and the wee stumpie stousie, ruggin' at her lug, and ravlin' a' her thrums; and then what a din he is making!--rattlit' in an airn jug wi' an airn spoon, skirlin' like a kenna-what, and ha'in' a battle aye wi' sleep. What a picture of a healthy and happy child!
Now, I know how hard it is for many of you to get meat for your children, and clothes for them, and bed and bedding for them at night, and I know how you have to struggle for yourselves and them, and how difficult it often is for you to take all the care you would like to do of them, and you will believe me when I say, that it is a far greater thing, because a far harder thing, for a poor, struggling, and it may be weakly woman in your station, to bring up her children comfortably, than for those who are richer; but still you may do a great deal of good at little cost either of money or time or trouble. And it is well-wared pains; it will bring you in two hundred percent in real comfort, and profit, and credit; and so you will, I am sure, listen good-naturedly to me, when I go over some plain and simple things about the health of your children.