Elsie was bad as bad could be, So to the corner she had to go; Nothing but cold, white wall to see, Nothing to think of but -- O dear me! -- The mischief past and the present woe. Out of the wall her mother's face Looked so tenderly sweet and sad, Seeming to fill the blank, bare space, Seeming to say to her girl in disgrace, "Dear little Elsie, why are you so bad?" Open her eyes or close them tight, Still our rebel that face must see, Till at last the poor little girl, in spite Of the stubbornest will, made headlong flight To her mother's arms and forgiveness free. Ah, my child, as the years go by, And many an error brings many a smart, May some hushed corner be ever nigh, Where the Father-love in the Father's eye May lead you close to the Father's heart. |