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His Faith
"Who is it," asked the mother of the baby by the bed, As she bent in love above him, stroking soft his golden head, "Loves the baby-Oh, so better than the whole great big world could ; And is sorry when he's naughty, and is happy when he's good? Who is it watches over him throughout the darkest night And walks beside him everywhere until the morning's light?" And the little bit o' baby by the bedside, nightie-clad, Looked up from where he was kneeling and made answer, “You and dad.”
“Yes,' the mother said, “but listen: Who is it that knows all things; Knows what makes the sunsets golden, teaches birds to use their wings ; Guides the stars across the heavens, knows what makes the noon-skies blue, Who is it that makes the blossoms white and red and sweet for you? Who is it provides the clothing that you wear when you are cold?. Who will always walk beside you, from today till you are old, And if you are good will take you up to him and make you glad?" And the baby smiled and answered looking in her eyes, "My dad!"
"Who is it that loves to hear you say your 'Lay me down' each night, Watches over you while sleeping, till the early morning light? Who is it that helps to make you big and brave and straight and strong, Gives you loved ones to care for you, fills your little heart with song, Gives you all things that you ask for-all things that are good for you; Teaches you what things are naughty, teaches you what things are true? Who will be there with sweet comfort when the world turns gray and sad?" And the baby stopped his “lay me" long enough to say, "My dad!"
So the mother bent above him till, his sweet petition said, She had loved him and had kissed him and had tucked him into bed; Then she crooned a lullabye and watched him drift away to sleep, Bent to leave more mother-kisses on the little tousled heap; Then she turned about to leave him in the little snow-white room Which the Southern breeze was filling with the autumn's sweet perfume; But she thought she heard him talking, and it seemed that he was glad; And she paused and harked and heard him say, half laughing, "It's my dad."
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