VIII. The Purloiner.
Reading edition
As Joe was at play,
Near the cupboard one day,
When he thought no one saw but himself,
How sorry I am,
He ate raspberry jam,
And currants that stood on the shelf.
His mother and John
To the garden had gone,
To gather ripe pears and ripe plums;
What Joe was about,
His mother, found out,
When she look'd at his fingers and thumbs.
And when they had din'd,
Said to Joe, "you will find,
"It is better to let things alone;
"These plums and these pears,
"No naughty boy shares,
"Who meddles with fruit not his own."
