“You are young, little Randolph,” the Old One cried,
“If your elders excite but your jeers;
But tell me, now do, how it comes that, though young,
You are so ill-behaved for your years.”
“I am so ill-behaved,” little Randolph replied,
“Because I believe in myself,
And regard such old fogies as Northcote and you
As lumber but fit for the shelf.”
“You’re too good, little Randolph,” the Old One cried,
“And of gumption you’re certainly full;