[Addressed to two children, whose names form the two “upright” words, which are supposed to be described in the first stanza.]
Two little maids were heard to say,
(They dwelt in London city),
“This summers-day’s too hot to play,
And picture-books are pretty.”
So, curling up like little mice,
And clasping hand in hand,
They read (& whispered “Ain’t it nice!”)
The tale of Wonderland.
Bright streamed the sunlight on the floor,
To tempt them out to run;
But they (like mice, I’ve said before)
Loved shadow more than sun.
And one cried “Sister, let’s invent
A dream—and plan to go
Where Mr. Carroll says he went—
That Russian Fair, you know!”
The other said “It’s nearly three:
Papa will call us soon.
His picture’s on the stand, and we
Must sit this afternoon.”
“And if we sit extremely good,”
The younger cried in haste,
“He’ll give us wine—he said he would—
A little tiny taste!”
[In explanation of the last two verses, it should be added that they are an Artist’s children.]