Part 2 — LXXVII.
Reading edition
"Oh John Thomas!" is a favourite digging-sing at Goatridge, twenty-two miles from Kingston:—
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Oh! John Thomas, Oh! John Thomas, Oh! John Thomas, Oh! John Thomas, We all a combolow, John Thomas, Me go da 'leven mile, John Thomas, Me see one gal me love, John Thomas, Me court her all the way, John Thomas, Me come a Bangheson, John Thomas, Me buy one quattie bread, John Thomas, Me part it right in two, John Thomas, Me give her the biggest piece, John Thomas, and a warra more you want, John Thomas?
"Combolow" is comrade oh!
"Da 'leven mile," to Eleven-miles, the halfway halting place between Goatridge and Kingston.
When he gets to Bangheson's shop he buys a quattie (pronounce quotty, penny halfpenny, quarter of sixpence) loaf, and what more do you want, John Thomas?
The quattie bread weighs eight ounces only. It is therefore a dear and much esteemed luxury.