The New Boys' First Det.
by Douglas J "Cardew" Robinson - written when he was actually not a new boy, but in Form IVc, aged about 14, in 1932.
The new boy stood at the det.-room door,
He heaved a heavy sigh;
He had a pear-drop in his mouth,
A tear-drop in his eye.
He looked into that place of sin
(Ah! hardened wrong-doers all),
And saw that long and lanky youth
A-propping up the wall.
" 'Tis many a time and oft," he said,
"that poor wight has been here;
I wonder if he ever dropped
A hot repentant tear.
I do so want to go and play."
Said the youngster, bright and sweet;
"But now I've got to stay in here,
And stick upon a seat."
He looked around and walked within
With another dreadful sigh;
The pear-drop still was in his mouth,
The tear-drop in his eye.
This is my warning, children all,
When next you're feeling gay,
Remember this poor little boy
And choke what you're going to say;
Or you will be by the det.-room door,
Heaving a heavy sigh;
A heavy tear within your mouth,
And a pear-drop in each eye.
Hot Breaks (IV.c)
Source: Gaytonian, December 1932
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