Page:Digger Smith (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/101



OW, be the Hokey Fly!" sez Peter Begg. "Suppose 'e comes 'ome with a wooden leg. Suppose 'e isn't fit to darnce at all, Then, ain't we 'asty fixin' up this ball? A little tournament at Bridge is my Idear," sez Peter. "Be the Hokey Fly!"

Ole Peter Begg is gettin' on in years. 'E owns a reel good farm; an' all 'e fears Is that some girl will land 'im, by an' by, An' share it with 'im—be the Hokey Fly. That's 'is pet swear-word, an' I dunno wot 'E's meanin', but 'e uses it a lot.

"Darncin'!" growls Begg. We're fixin' up the 'all With bits uv green stuff for a little ball To welcome Jim, 'oo's comin' 'ome nex' day. We're 'angin' flags around to make things gay, An' shiftin' chairs, an' candle-greasin' floors, As is our way when blokes come 'ome from wars.