JOHN BURNS AGAIN. 389 



Testily rasping the sole of his shoe, 



He pared the edge and blackened them too. 



Marked on the shining face the price, 



Then said, as he shut his mouth like a vise : 



" I've kept my promise," and then he laughed, 



When he added : " I'll never disgrace my craft ! " 



Thus John, and he stiffly rose to his feet. 



Folded his apron tidy and neat. 



Then he called to his good wife Barbara, 



" I've a job of work on the Kidge to-day. 



If young and able-bodied fellers 



Choose to hide like rats in the cellars, 



I'll show my colors and go the front 



And share with the boys the battle's brunt." 



He shows her the row of customers' shoes ; 

 Tells whom to trust and whom to refuse ; 

 Then her toil-worn hands he tightly grips, 

 Till they tingle to their finger tips. 

 And looking around that no one saw, 

 He frightened the weeping Barbara 

 With a smacking kiss on her puckered lips — 

 For he wasn't one of the kissing kind, 

 Though a tenderer man you couldn't find — 

 And blushing and trembling standing there, 

 To him she was as young and fair 

 As when he bore her a bonnie bride 

 In far off" days from the banks of Clyde. 



From his heart there seems a lifted load. 

 As he moves along the dusty road ; 

 And his halting gait works up to the stride 

 Of a soldier filled with martial pride ; 

 While he lifts his head with a pose severe 

 That would please the eye of a grenadier, 

 As he hears the sounds and sees the sight 

 That tells the opening of the fight. 



