Aunt Matilda Again

When Aunt Matilda stays with us
We have to be so neat and clean,
And Father makes a dreadful fuss,
Till after Aunty’s been.

We never have to make a noise,
It’s so unladylike, you see,
For girls to act like great rough boys.
(I’m sure that’s meant for me!)

We go to bed at seven P.M.,
That is the hour that Aunties keep
When they are young! (I pity them—
However did they sleep!)

We have to be so very good—
At meal-times never once be late,
And eat up every scrap of food
Upon the dinner-plate.

On Sundays we must always wear
Our dresses with clean ‘tuckers’ in;
I really don’t know how I bear
The pricking on my chin!

But Father dear forgets to frown,
And Mother looks quite young again,
When Aunty gets the Bradshaw down,
And finds a morning train.