The Wrong Thing
I.
The Bricklayer:— I tell this tale which is strictly true, Just by way of convincing you How very little since things were made Things have altered in the building trade.
A year ago, come the middle o’ March, We was building flats near the Marble Arch, When a thin young man with coal-black hair Came up to watch us working there.
Now there wasn’t a trick in brick or stone That this young man hadn’t seen or known; Nor there wasn’t a tool from trowel to maul But this young man could use ’em all!
Then up and spoke the plumbyers bold, Which was laying the pipes for the hot and cold: ‘Since you with us have made so free, Will you kindly say what your name might be?’