Polly crowned the little queen , Ned gave her a willow whistle he had made , and Will some pretty , bright pebbles he had found ; and Miss Baby was as happy as a bird , with her treasures . A pleasant supper-time ; then the small duties for each one ; and then the go-to-bed frolic . The nursery was a big room , and in the evening a bright wood fire always burned there for baby . Mamma sat before it , softly rubbing baby 's little rosy limbs before she went to bed , singing and telling stories meanwhile to the three children who pranced about in their long nightgowns . This evening they had a gay time ; for the shadows amused them by all sorts of antics , and kept them laughing till they were tired . As they sat resting on the big sofa , they heard a soft , sweet voice singing . It was n't mamma ; for she was only talking to baby , and this voice sang a real song . Presently they saw mamma 's shadow on the wall , and found it was the shadow-mother singing to the shadow-children . They listened intently , and this is what they heard : `` Little shadows , little shadows , Dancing on the chamber wall , While I sit beside the hearthstone Where the red flames rise and fall . Caps and nightgowns , caps and nightgowns , My three antic shadows wear ; And no sound they make in playing , For the six small feet are bare . `` Dancing gayly , dancing gayly , To and fro all together , Like a family of daisies Blown about in windy weather ; Nimble fairies , nimble fairies , Playing pranks in the warm glow , While I sing the nursery ditties Childish phantoms love and know . `` Now what happens , now what happens ? One small shadow 's tumbled down : I can see it on the carpet , Softly rubbing its hurt crown . No one whimpers , no one whimpers ; A brave-hearted sprite is this : See ! the others offer comfort In a silent , shadowy kiss . `` Hush ! they 're creeping ; hush ! they 're creeping , Up about my rocking-chair : I can feel their loving fingers Clasp my neck and touch my hair . Little shadows , little shadows , Take me captive , hold me tight , As they climb and cling and whisper , ` Mother dear , good night ! good night ! ' ''
As the song ended , the real children , as well as the shadows , lovingly kissed mamma , and said `` Good-night ; '' then XXXXX away into their rooms , said their prayers , and nestled down into their beds .
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