His breath came quick and his cheeks were red,
He flourished his elbows and looked absurd,
While, over and over, his “Bother!” I heard.
Harder and harder he tugged and worked;
Vainly and savagely still he jerked;
The boot, half on, would dawdle and flap,
“Bother!” and then he burst the strap.
Redder than ever his hot cheek flamed;
Louder than ever he fumed and blamed;
He wiggled his heel and he tugged at the leather