He wore a black smear on his face,

And held out the hand of a rough artisan

To pilot me into my place.

Like the engine my frock somehow seemed to mis-fire,

For Reginald's manner was querulous,

But after some fuss with the near hind-wheel tyre

We were off at a pace that was perilous.

"There's Brown just behind, on his second-hand brute,

He thinks it can move, silly ass!"

Said Reggie with venom, "Ha! Ha! let him hoot,