34
AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE HILL

As I was going down the hill

In front of Missus Knapp's

I saw the little Knapperines

All in their winter wraps —

Purple mitts and mufflers

And knitted jersey caps.

 

As I was coming back again

In front of Missus Knapp's

I saw that awful lady

Give about a dozen slaps

To every little Knapperine —

I thought it was, perhaps,

Because they gathered stickers

In their knitted jersey caps.

 

[NOTES] This rhyme is about what a man sees at the house of Mrs. Knapp. When he goes down the hill, he sees all the children of the family dressed in winter clothes. When he comes up the hill, he sees Mrs. Knapp hitting all the children of the family. He thinks she is doing this is because they got their hats dirty.

knapperines—children of the knapp family

wrap—warm clothes like coats

mitts—cover for hands

mufflers—pillow to put hand in to keep them warm

knitted—made from wool

jersey caps—hats

awful—bad

dozen—12

slaps—hits with the hand

to gather—to pick up

stickers—things that stay on with glue