To Eugene Field

I’m keeping jolly comp’ny In a room that’s full of books; I’m cheek by jowl with Horace And a lot of ancient crooks. But the boys I like to play with, When the boss takes off his coat, Are the wild and woolly heroes From Casey’s tabble-dote. And when the lamp is lighted And cosey hours ensue, I talk with All-Aloney And the little Boy in Blue. But when the man that owns the books Throws one kind glance at me I sing just like the Dinkey In the Amfelula Tree.