'Owever, I got this idee about Elbert, an' I didn't sleep a wink thet night, an' couldn't enjoy me starlight.

In the mornin' 'e come as usual, with 'is pretty blind smile, an' I ses to 'im: 'Elbert,' I ses, 'You ain't a crool boy, are you?
You wouldn't do anythink to 'urt me ?' Lookin' at 'im, I couldn't believe it.

''Urt you ?' 'e ses quite 'appily; 'an' why wouldn't I 'urt you?
I'd as lief send you to the Devil as not,' 'e ses.

Well, cocky, I don't mind tellin' you I lost me 'ead at that.

I run awiy--run awiy from my Elbert--Oh, Gosh! I bin an' give up me bits o' sticks to a neighbour, an' got a place, an' went into service.