Grand Pere

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume X, Issue 4, 1 October 1917, Page 215

Grand Pere

From " Rhymes of a Red Cross man," by Robert W. Service (The Canadian Kipling).

And so when he reached my bed, The General made a stand. " My brave young fellow," he said, " I would shake your hand." So I lifted my arm, the right, With never a hand at all ; Only a stump, a sight Fit to appal. "Well, well. Now that's too bad! That's sorrowful luck," he said ; " But there ! You give me, my lad, The left instead."

So from under the blanket's rim I raised and showed him the other, A snag as ugly and grim As its ugly brother. He looked at each jagged wrist ; He looked but he did not speak ; And then he bent down and kissed Me on either cheek. You wonder now I don't mind, I hadn't a hand to offer. . . They tell me (you know I'm blind) 'Twos Grand- per c J off re.