Classic Poem

They'd parted but a year before — she never thought he'd come,
She stammer'd, blushed, held out her hand, and called him " Mister Gum " .
How could he know that all the while she longed to murmur " John " .
He called her " Miss le Brook " , and asked how she was getting on.

They'd parted but a year before; they'd loved each other well,
But he'd been to the city, and he came back such a swell.
They longed to meet in fond embrace, they hungered for a kiss —
But Mary called him " Mister " , and the idiot called her " Miss " .

He stood and leaned against the door — a stupid chap was he —
And, when she asked if he'd come in and have a cup of tea,
He looked to left, he looked to right, and then he glanced behind,
And slowly doffed his cabbage-tree, and said he " didn't mind " .

She made a shy apology because the meat was tough,
And then she asked if he was sure his tea was sweet enough;
He stirred the tea and sipped it twice, and answered " plenty, quite " ;
And cut the smallest piece of beef and said that it was " right " .

She glanced at him at times and coughed an awkward little cough;
He stared at anything but her and said, " I must be off. "
That evening he went riding north — a sad and lonely ride.
She locked herself inside her room, and there sat down and cried.

They'd parted but a year before, they loved each other well —
But she was such a country girl and he was such a swell;
They longed to meet in fond embrace, they hungered for a kiss —
But Mary called him " Mister " and the idiot called her " Miss " .