Page:Doreen (C. J. Dennis, 1917).djvu/21

 To show 'im 'ow to time 'is 'it. 'E sneaks beneath me guard Quite sudden, while I'm yappin', an' 'e cracks me one reel 'ard.

Did it please me? Wot do you think? Strike! That kid 'as got the knack! An' it pleased me all to pieces 'ow the ole game all came back: Left-swings an' jolts an' short-arm jabs—the 'old dash box uv tricks, Sich as we used down in the Lane when we wus short uv bricks. I'm showin' 'im a fancy 'it, a reel ole ding-dong clout, When the murderin' young savage tries to knock me front teeth out!

Uv course, 'e 'urt 'is little 'and, an' fetches out a yell That brings Doreen down double quick. An' then— 'twus merry 'ell. She grabs the kid up in 'er arms, an' gives me sich a look As I ain't seen since years ago, when I done—somethin' crook. "You'll 'ave 'im like you wus!" she cries. "I'd sooner see 'im dead! You want to make 'im..." "Don't," I sez. "We'll take the rest as said."