Mary Called him ‘Mister'

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 lean'd 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 answer'd ‘plenty, quite; '
And cut the smallest piece of beef and said that it was ‘right.'

She glanced at him at times and cough'd 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. '

End of title