ABSTRACT
This is what they say when you pull a long face: “Cross patch, turn the latch, sit by the fire and spin. Take a cup and drink it up and call the neighbors in.” This is what you say when they torment you: “Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.” This is what you say when you skip rope: “House for sale inquire within, when Mary moves out let Janie move in. In, in, in.” This is what you say to ward off the night spells: “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” (Good God! What kind of comfort is THAT for a child? It is like the lullaby: Rock a bye baby, on the tree top, when the wind blows, the cradle will rock; When the wind blows, the cradle will fall, and down will come baby, cradle and all.)
