Yesterday my pretty Nell
Left mamma at home,
Ran across and rang the bell,
Slipped into my room;
Came and sat upon my knee,
Where I love her most to be.

Both our hearts went pit-a-pat,
For we feared that some
Busybody rat-a-tat
To my door would come.
‘If they do’—dear Nellie sighed—
‘There is nowhere here to hide.’

She was right. A portly dame
Just then forced the door,
Swiftly to my darling came
Thrust her to the floor—
‘You have got a treasure there;
Mother wants to have her share.’