What has this little
woman been doing,
So long since the morning begun?
I don't believe she can remember
One-half of the work she has done.
Dressing the dear little baby,
Combing his soft silken hair,
Putting him back in the cradle,
To sleep and grow healthy and fair.
Doing the work in the kitchen,
Just what it happens to be,
Covering books from the school-room,--
Ready for callers at three.
Mending and making and chatting,
Two or three children to teach,
If not the primer's first lesson,
Methods no others can preach.
That's what this dear woman's been doing,
Day after day 'tis the same;
Jesus, oh, watch and defend her,
"Dear Esther"--for that is her name
