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laughter stopped While he stood and watched them at their play。
No； he never named their mother's name。 But I told them of her： told
them all She had been； so gentle； good； and bright； And I always took
them every night Where her picture hung in the great hall。
There she stood： white daisies in her hand； And her red lips parted as
to speak With a smile； the blue and sunny air Seemed to stir her floating
golden hair； And to bring a faint blush on her cheek。
Well； so time passed on； a year was gone； And Sir Arthur had been
much away。 Then the news came！ I shed many tears When I saw the
truth of all my fears Rise before me on that bitter day。
Any one but her I could have borne！ But my lady loved her as her
friend。 Through their childhood and their early youth； How she used to
count upon the truth Of this friendship that would never end！
Older； graver than my lady was； Whose young； gentle heart on her
relied； She would give advice； and praise； and blame； And my lady leant
on Margaret's name； As her dearest comfort； help； and guide。
I had never liked her； and I think That my lady grew to doubt her too；
Since her marriage； for she named her less； Never saw her； and I used to
guess At some secret wrong I never knew。
That might be or not。 But now； to hear She would come and reign
here in her stead； With the pomp and splendour of a bride： Would no
thought reproach her in her pride With the silent memory of the dead？
So； the day came； and the bells rang out； And I laid the children's black
aside； And I held each little trembling hand； As I strove to make them
understand They must greet their father's new…made bride。
Ah； Sir Arthur might look grave and stern； And his lady's eyes might
well grow dim； When the children shrank in fear away； … Little Arthur hid
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his face； and May Would not raise her eyes； or speak to him。
When Sir Arthur bade them greet their 〃mother；〃 I was forced to chide；
yet proud to hear How my little loving May replied； With her mother's
pretty air of pride； … 〃Our dear mother has been dead a year！〃
Ah； the lady's tears might well fall fast； As she kissed them； and then
turned away。 She might strive to smile or to forget； But I think some
shadow of regret Must have risen to blight her wedding…day。
She had some strange touch of self…reproach； For she used to linger
day by day； By the nursery door； or garden gate； With a sad； calm； wistful
look； and wait Watching the three children at their play。
But they always shrank away from her When she strove to comfort
their alarms； And their grave； cold silence to beguile： Even little Olga's
baby…smile Quivered into tears when in her arms。
I could never chide them： for I saw How their mother's memory
grew more deep In their hearts。 Each night I had to tell Stories of her
whom I loved so well When a child； to send them off to sleep。
But Sir ArthurOh； this was too hard！ … He； who had been always
stern and sad In my lady's time； seemed to rejoice Each day more； and I
could hear his voice Even； sounding younger and more glad。
He might perhaps have blamed them； but his wife Never failed to take
the children's part： She would stay him with her pleading tone； Saying she
would strive； and strive alone； Till she gained each little wayward heart。
And she strove indeed； and seemed to be Always waiting for their love；
in vain； Yet； when May had most her mother's look； Then the lady's calm；
cold accents shook With some memory of reproachful pain。
Little May would never call her Mother： So； one day； the lady； bending
low； Kissed her golden curls； and softly said； 〃Sweet one； call me
Margaret； instead； … Your dear mother used to call me so。〃
She was gentle； kind； and patient too； Yet in vain： the children held
apart。 Ah； their mother's gentle memory dwelt Near them； and her little
orphans felt She had the first claim upon their heart。
So three years passed； then the war broke out； And a rumour seemed to
spread and rise； First we guessed what sorrow must befall； Then all doubt
fled； for we read it all In the depths of her despairing eyes。
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Yes； Sir Arthur had been called away To that scene of slaughter； fear；
and strife； … Now he seemed to know with double pain； The cold； bitter
gulf that must remain To divide his children from his wife。
Nearer came the day he was to sail； Deeper grew the coming woe and
fear； When； one night； the children at my knee Knelt to say their evening
prayer to me； I looked up and saw Sir Arthur near。
There they knelt with folded hands； and said Low； soft words in
stammering accents sweet； In the firelight shone their golden hair And
white robes： my darlings looked so fair； With their little bare and rosy
feet！
There he waited till their low 〃Amen；〃 Stopped the rosy lips raised for
〃Good night！〃 … Drew them with a fond clasp； close and near； As he bade
them stay with him； and hear Something that would make his heart more
light。
Little Olga crept into his arms； Arthur leant upon his shoulder； May
Knelt beside him； with her earnest eyes Lifted up in patient； calm surprise
… I can almost hear his words to…day。
〃Years ago； my children； years ago； When your mother was a child；
she came From her northern home； and here she met Love for love； and
comfort for regret； In one early friend；you know her name。
〃And this frienda few years oldergave Such fond care； such love；
that day by day The new home grew happy； joy complete； Studies easier；
and play more sweet； While all childish sorrows passed away。
〃And your motherfragile； like my May … Leant on this deep love；
nor leant in vain。 For this friend （strong； generous； noble heart！） Gave the
sweet； and took the bitter part； … Brought her all the joy； and kept the pain。
〃Years passed on； and then I saw them first： It was hard to say which
was most fair； Your sweet mother's bright and blushing face； Or the graver
Margaret's stately grace； Golden locks； or braided raven hair。