Want any papers, Mister? Wish you'd buy 'em of me-- Ten year old, an' a fam'ly, An' bizness dull, you see. Fact, Boss! There's Tom, an' Tibby, An' Dad, an' Mam, an' Mam's cat, None on 'em earning money-- What do you think of that?
_Couldn't Dad work?_ Why yes, Boss, He's workin' for Gov'ment now-- They give him his board for nothin', All along of a drunken row, _An' Mam?_ well, she's in the poor-house, Been there a year or so, So I'm taking care of the others, Doing as well as I know.
_Tibby my sister?_ Not much, Boss, She's a kitten, a real Maltee; I picked her up last summer-- Some boys was a drownin' of she; Throw'd her inter a hogshead; But a p'liceman came along, So I jest grabbed up the kitten And put for home, right strong.
And Tom's my dog; he an' Tibby Hain't never quarreled yet-- They sleep in my bed in winter An' keeps me warm--you bet! Mam's cat sleeps in the corner, With a piller made of her paw-- Can't she growl like a tiger If anyone comes to our straw!
_Oughtn't to live so?_ Why, Mister, What's a feller to do? Some nights, when I'm tired an' hungry, Seems as if each on 'em knew-- They'll all three cuddle around me, Till I get cheery, and say: Well, p'raps I'll have sisters an' brothers, An' money an' clothes, too, some day.
But if I do git rich, Boss, (An' a lecturin' chap one night Said newsboys could be Presidents If only they acted right); So, if I was President, Mister, The very first thing I'd do, I'd buy poor Tom an' Tibby A dinner--an' Mam's cat, too!
None o' your scraps an' leavin's, But a good square meal for all three; If you think I'd skimp my friends, Boss, That shows you don't know _me_. So 'ere's your papers--come take one, Gimme a lift if you can-- For now you've heard my story, You see I'm a fam'ly man!
Not far advanced was morning day, When Marmion did his troop array To Surrey's camp to ride; He had safe conduct for his band, Beneath the royal seal and hand, And Douglas gave a guide: The ancient Earl, with stately grace, Would Clara on her palfrey place, And whispered in an undertone, "Let the hawk stoop, his prey is flown." The train from out the castle drew, But Marmion stopped to bid adieu.-- "Though something I might plain," he said, "Of cold respect to stranger guest, Sent hither by your king's behest, While in Tantallon's towers I stayed, Part we in friendship from your land, And, noble Earl, receive my hand."-- But Douglas round him drew his cloak, Folded his arms, and thus he spoke:-- "My manors, halls, and bowers shall still Be open, at my sovereign's will, To each one whom he lists, howe'er Unmeet to be the owner's peer. My castles are my king's alone, From turret to foundation-stone,-- The hand of Douglas is his own; And never shall in friendly grasp The hand of such as Marmion clasp."