The teacher sat in her high-backed chair,

Her chair so straight and tall;

Her eyes went flashing to and fro

Among the children small.

At last she spoke, and “Billy boy!

Now answer, Billy Bolee,

And tell me quickly, what does C-

O-W spell?” quoth she.

Then up went Patty’s hand,

Up went Matty’s hand,

Up went Freddy’s hand, too;

But poor little Billy,

He was so silly,

He didn’t know what to do.

The teacher smiled her pleasant smile,

And shook her small, wise head.

“Be quiet, all! for I am sure

That Billy knows!” she said.

“Put on your thinking-cap, my child,

And tie it very tight;

Then C-O-W will not trouble you,

But up went Patty’s hand,

Up went Matty’s hand,

Up went Freddy’s hand, too,

And poor little Billy

He was so silly,

He didn’t know what to do.

But when the children ’gan to laugh,

And fun at him ’gan poke,

Poor Billy thought it might not be

So much worse if he spoke.

So, lifting up his fearful eyes

All sad and timorously,

“Sure, C-O-W, must spell, Sobble-you!”

Thus spoke Billy Bolee.

Then out laughed Matty,

And out laughed Patty,

And out laughed Frederick, too;

But poor little Billy,

He felt so silly,

He didn’t know, what—TO—DO!!!