THE WIFE.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 50, 21 August 1915, Page 18

THE WIFE.

Oh, yes! I sez I'm glad he's gone To fight for England's King, To teach the Turks a thing or two, And make the Germans sing. I sez I'm proudl to be the wife Of one who's joined the fray, I wears a face as bright as steel, And smiles most all the day. I learns the children soldier games. They think 'tis awful fun To play at whackin' Kaiser Bill, And' pommellin' his son. I teaches them the Nat'n'l songs, About our fighting folk, And often-tiin.es the kitchen rings With shouting "Hearts of Oak." The ladies look in now and then. They say:, "You're proud, no doubt, To know your husband's at the front, To help the foe to rout." They talk of loyalty and such, And chatter by the ton,. They say: "You're looking very well!" Sez I: "I'm quite Al." But night-times when the fire burns low, And children's gone to bed, I sits, audi thinks and thinks and thinks, And holds my-.acihin' head. It ain't no sienee pretendin' then, But in the twilight dim, I reads his letters one by one, And sighs and sighs for him.

Folks never guess. They alius say : " 'Tis nice she doi not freti" They thinks because a Avoman- similes Her eves is never Avet. And so by day I sez I'm proud To be a soldier's wife, But night-times, choked with, sobs, I prays- -j That God .'will spare his; Jife'.;, s;'' ".'-''■''' Joan Aru^kll.