Classic Poem

" Come, Kitty, come! " they said, —
But Kitty hesitated;
Nodding oft her pretty head
With, " I'm coming soon.
Father 's rowing home, I know,
I cannot think what keeps him so, "
And still she stood and waited. —
" I 'm coming soon. "

" Come, Kit! " her brothers cried;
But Kitty by the water
Still eagerly the distance eyed,
With, " I 'm coming soon.
Why what would evening be, " said she,
" Without dear father home to tea?
Without his " Ho, my daughter!" — ?
I 'm coming soon. "

" Come, Kate! " her mother called,
" The supper 's almost ready. "
But Kitty in her place installed,
Coaxed, " I 'm coming soon.
Do let me wait. He 's sure to come;
By this time father 's always home —
He rows so fast and steady;
I 'm coming soon. "

" Come, Kit! " they half implore.
The girl is softly humming;
She hardly hears them any more, —
But " I 'm coming soon "
Is in her heart; for far from shore —
Gliding the happy waters o'er —
She sees the boat, and cries, " He's coming!
We're coming soon! "