Gateway to the Classics: Display Item
A. A. Milne

Before Tea

Emmeline

Has not been seen

For more than a week. She slipped between

The two tall trees at the end of the green . . .

We all went after her. "Emmeline!"


"Emmeline,

I didn't mean—

I only said that your hands weren't clean."

We went to the trees at the end of the green . . .

But Emmeline

Was not to be seen.


Emmeline

Came slipping between

The two tall trees at the end of the green.

We all ran up to her. "Emmeline!

Where have you been?

Where have you been?

Why, it's more than a week!" And Emmeline

Said, "Sillies, I went and saw the Queen.

She says my hands are purfickly  clean!"