Classic Poem

" SIGN the petition!" " Write my name!"
" She said, ask me!" — oh, she's fooling;
Where do you think a girl like me
Could find the time for so much schooling?
Why, I've been here since I was eight or so —
That's ten years now — and it seems like longer;
The hours are from eight till six — you see
It wears one out — I once was stronger.
A bad cough!' oh, that's nothing, sir;
It comes from the dust, and bending over.
It hurts me sometimes — no, not now.
" This!" why, a flower, — a bit of clover.

I picked it up as I came to work —
It grew in the grass in some one's airy,
Where it stood, and nodded all alone
Like a little green-cloaked, white-capped fairy
" Fond of flowers!" I like them — yes —
Though, goodness knows, I don't see many —
I'd have to buy them — they cost so much —
And I never can spare a single penny.

" Go to the park!" — how can I, sir?
The only day that I have is Sunday;
And then there's always so much to do
That before I know it, almost, it's Monday.
Like it, sir, like it! — why, when I think
Of the woods, and the brook with the cattle drinking —
I was country-bred, sir — my heart swells so
That I — there, there, what's the use of thinking!

If I could write, sir — " make a cross,
And let you write my name below it" —
No, please; I'm ashamed I can't, sometimes, —
I don't want all the girls to know it.
And what's the use of it, anyway?
They'll just say shortly, with careless faces,
If you're not suited, you'd better leave' —
There's plenty of girls to fill our places.
They're kind enough to their own, no doubt —
Our head just worships his own young daughter,
Just my age, sir — she's gone away
To spend the Summer, across the water.
But us — oh, well, we're only 'hands,
Do you think to please us they'll bear losses?
No. not a cent's worth — ah, you 'll see —
I'm a working girl, sir, and I know bosses.