When We Went Out With Grandmamma Poem by Kate Greenaway

WHEN we went out with Grandmamma–
Mamma said for a treat–
Oh, dear, how stiff we had to walk
As we went down the street.

One on each side we had to go,
And never laugh or loll;
I carried Prim, her Spaniard dog,
And Tom–her parasol.

If
I
looked right–if
Tom
looked left–
'Tom–Susan–I'm ashamed;
And little Prim, I'm sure, is shocked,
To hear such naughties named.'

She said we had no manners,
If we ever talked or sung;
'You should have seen,' said Grandmamma,
'
Me
walk, when
I
was young.'

She said they never wished them
To play–oh, indeed!
They learnt to sew and needlework
Or else to write and read.

She told us–oh, so often–
How little girls and boys,
In the good days when she was young,
Never made any noise.

She said her mother never let
Her speak a word at meals;
'But now,' said Grandmamma, 'you'd think
That children's tongues had wheels

'So fast they go–clack, clack, clack, clack;
Now listen well, I pray,
And let me see you both improve
From what I've said to-day.'