O mother, dear, ne'er spare the rod.
(Child's head appears at 3.)
For broth without bread is a watery waste;
And never contented are we,
Till with your good stick it is thickened to taste;
(Three heads appear at 4.)
And then, oh, how happy are we!
And then, oh, how happy are we!"
Enter Old Woman, R. Her costume, bodice, quilted petticoat, sugar-loaf hat, high-heeled shoes, and cane.
O. W. Aha! (Heads disappear quick.)
Good gracious! can't I leave the house a minute,
But what a head's at every window in it?
Don't let me see the tip of a single nose;
For, if you do, we'll surely come to blows.
Poor dears! they want the air. Well, that is cheap
And strengthening; for they live on air and sleep.
Food is so high, and work is so unstiddy,
Life's really wearing on this poor old widdy.