"HIK-TEE-DIK!"

When two little boys—renowned but for noise— Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!— May hurt a whole school, and the head it employs, Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! Such loud and hilarious pupils indeed Need learning—and yet something further they need, Though fond hearts that love them may sorrow and bleed. Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! O the schoolmarm was cool, and in no wise a fool; Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! And in ruling her ranks it was her rule to rule; Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! So when these two pupils conspired, every day, Some mad piece of mischief, with whoop and hoo-ray, That hurt yet defied her,—how happy were they!— Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! At the ring of the bell they 'd rush in with a yell— Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! And they'd bang the school-door till the plastering fell, Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! They'd clinch as they came, and pretend not to see As they knocked her desk over—then, My! and O-me! How awfully sorry they'd both seem to be! Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!

This trick seemed so neat and so safe a conceit,— Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!— They played it three times—though the third they were beat; Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! For the teacher, she righted her desk—raised the lid And folded and packed away each little kid— Closed the incident so—yes, and locked it, she did— Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!