56

A THIEF

You left the parent birds one egg?
That’s little comfort, Mick.

Do you imagine nightingales
Can’t do arithmetic?

When robbers steal both you and Rose,
And take you far from here,

Because they leave me Dick and Sue
Shall I not notice, dear?

We'll find the cup that held the eggs,
And pop them in again:

Come, darling, let us run with them
To save the birds from pain.

If they are out this afternoon,
I’m sure they soon will come

With eager wings, with sparkling eyes,
To do their evening sum.