Were Tommy blind as any mole,
He’d always find the sugar-bowl.
Tra la la, tra la la!
Sweet, sweet Tommy!
He’s a funny talking fellow. We took him into town last night, to see the illumination. This morning we heard him and Frankie Snow telling Benny Joyce about it. Father and I were listening behind the blinds. Made father’s eyes twinkle. Don’t you know how they twinkle when he’s tickled?
“You didn’t see the rumination and we did!” we heard Tommy say.
“Rumination? What’s a rumination?” asked Benny.
“O hoo! hoo!” cried Tommy. “Denno what a rumination is!”
“Why,” said Frankie, “don’t you know the publicans? Wal, that’s it.”
“O poh!” said Benny. “Publicans and sinners! I knew they’s coming!”
“And soldiers!” said Frankie. “O my! All a marching together!”
“O poh!” said Benny. “I see ’em go by. Paint-pots on their heads, and brushes in ’em! I wasn’t goin’ to chase!”
“Guess nobody wouldn’t let ye?” said Frankie.