They paint, and they varnish, and size;

They thump, and they wrangle, and clatter,

And drive away sleep from my eyes.

They make me as mad as a hatter,

And cause me quite early to rise!

The staircase is all barricaded,

The handle removed from each door;

My own sacred Den is invaded—

My papers all strewn on the floor!

My books and my letters are scattered,