Miss Edith Makes Another Friend
By Bret Harte (Francis)
Oh, youre the girl lives on the corner? Come in if you want to come quick!
Theres no one but me in the house, and the cook but shes only a stick.
Dont try the front way, but come over the fence through the window thats how.
Dont mind the big dog he wont bite you just see him obey me! there, now!
Whats your name? Mary Ellen? How funny! Mines Edith its nicer, you see;
But yours does for you, for youre plainer, though maybe youre gooder than me;
For Jack says Im sometimes a devil, but Jack, of all folks, neednt talk,
For I dont call the seamstress an angel till Ma says the poor thing must walk.
Come in! Its quite dark in the parlor, for sister will keep the blinds down,
For you know her complexion is sallow like yours, but she isnt as brown;
Though Jack says that isnt the reason she likes to sit here with Jim Moore.
Do you think that he meant that she kissed him? Would you if your lips wasnt sore?
If you like, you can try our piano. Taint ours. A man left it here
To rent by the month, although Ma says he hasnt been paid for a year.
Sister plays oh, such fine variations! why, I once heard a gentleman say
That she didnt mind that for the music in fact, it was just in her way!
Aint I funny? And yet its the queerest of all that, whatever I say,
One half of the folks die a-laughing, and the rest, they all look tother way.
And some say, That child! Do they ever say that to such people as you?
Though maybe youre naturally silly, and that makes your eyes so askew.
Now stop dont you dare to be crying! Just as sure as you live, if you do,
Ill call in my big dog to bite you, and Ill make my Papa kill you, too!
And then wherell you be? So play pretty. Theres my doll, and a nice piece of cake.
You dont want it you think it is poison! Then Ill eat it, dear, just for your sake!