Twas the night before the Math test,
and all through the house.
every creature was studying,
Yes, even the mouse.

The math books were set
by the chimney with care,
In hopes that report cards
would never get there.

The children were nestled,
all snug in their bed,
while visions of variables
danced in their heads.

And Mamma in her kerchief,
And I in my glasses,
had just settled down,
to study for classes,

When out in the school,
there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed
to see what was the matter.

Away to the window,
I flew like our class,
Tore open the shutter,
And threw up the sash.

When what to my
wondering eyes should appear,
but Mrs. Williams,
and eight little weirds.

She was so lively,
and she was so quick,
I thought for a moment
it might be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles,
her courses they came,
and she screamed and she shouted,
and called each by name.

Now Heather, Now Shannon,
Now Maren, and Mette,
On Danny, On Douglas,
On David, and Eddie.

To the top of the porch,
To the top of the wall,
Now dash away, dash away,
dash away all.

And then in an inkling,
I heard on the roof,
the stamping and pawing
of each little foot.

As I drew in my head,
And was turning around,
down the chimney,
Mrs. William came, bound

She was dressed in a dress
from her head to her foot,
and her dress was all tarnished
in tomatoes and a root.

Her eyes how they twinkled,
her laugh was too merry.
Her cheeks were like icicles.
Her nose was a cherry.

Her droll little mouth was
drawn up in a "No!"
And the smile on her face
was as fake as the snow.

A wink of her eye,
and a twist of her head
Soon gave me a question,
Was she to dread?

She spoke not a word,
but went straight to her work,
and distributed the report cards,
and turned like a jerk.

Then laying a finger
aside of her nose,
and giving a nod,
up the chimney she rose.

She sprang to the sleigh,
to the team gave a shout
and away they all flew
like the turn of a bout.

But I heard her exclaim,
as she drove out of sight,
"Good luck on your math test,
You'll need it tonight."

A thanks to the good-humored Mrs. Williams, who despite her reputation of being a stern, strict teacher, laughed heartily at this poem and was proud of our class for winning!

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