A Child's Plea

Why must you go, my papa?I think it's very queer,You never used to leave us,You always lived right here.

I thought when mamma told me,This morning when I woke,That you were really goingYou meant it as a joke.

Although she looked so soberAnd said I musn't cry,And that when things were settledI'd see you by and by.

What does she mean by "settled"?And what is a divorce?When I asked nurse about it,It made her awfully cross.

She thinks 'cause I am littleI shouldn't question so,But if you were her papaI'm sure she'd want to know.

Joe Simpson lost his papa,But then, you see, he died,He told me all about it,And how his mamma cried.

And I was awfully sorry,I gave him my new ball,And my best agate marbles,And made him keep them all.

But I could not console himWith any of my toys;He'd rather have a fatherLike other little boys.

Why, papa, what's the matter?Your eyes have got so red,I do believe you're crying'Cause Joey's papa's dead.