Late

A mother sat one evening
Dozing by the fireside,
The book that she'd been reading
From her lap began to slide.
She waited for her daughter
To return from her first date,
She'd promised Mother faithfully
That she would not be late.
With relief she heard the words
" I am back, Mum I am here ",
Just before the door bell rang
By a policeman standing there.
She called her daughters name
But only echoes now await,
A promise kept so faithfully
That she would not be late.........