"Johnny dearest, what have you done?”

Mother spoke angrily to her son "I had to rescue Suzy's dolly"

Said I explaining my recent folly.

Signs of anger dissolved from her eye

She patted me softly and said with a sigh

"Poor Johnny, these were your only clean clothes What you'll wear now the good Lord only knows."

T'was true, I really had nothing to wear No shirts; no pants; no socks; not a pair

All dirty and in the wash today

How would I ever go out to play?

That thought in mind I made a path On my way to a hot soapy bath Thankful at least for Mother's reprieve Though of the outdoors I had taken leave.

The jangling ring of a telephone bell

The sound of Mother's "Hello, well, well!" I could tell from Mother's sugary tone T'was Suzy's Mother on the phone.

Mother explained my lack of clothes

She listened, then said, "Well I suppose It would be all right. Yes, that's very nice." She said it once; she said it twice.

I distinctly heard her laughing 'tee hee' And knew both Mothers were talking of me Further discussion and then the sound

Of Mother putting the telephone down.

Now clean and dry I thought of my fate With nothing to do but sit and wait. Wrapped in my towel on the bathroom floor I heard the creak of our front door.

Ny Mother's voice and Mrs. O'Toole "Oh dear, he'll just be a little jewel!"

Iguessed they had found me something to wear As Mother started up the stair.

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