GLOSSARY





I. BEFORE THE WAR


Before the War

"BEFORE the war," she sighs. "Before the war."
Then blinks 'er eyes, an' tries to work a smile.
"Ole scenes," she sez, "don't look the same no more.
Ole ways," she sez, "seems to 'ave changed their style,
The pleasures that we 'ad don't seem worth while--
Them simple joys that passed an hour away--
An' troubles, that we used to so revile,
'Ow small they look," she sez. "'Ow small to-day.

"This war!" sighs ole Mar Flood. An' when I seen
The ole girl sittin' in our parlour there,
Tellin' 'er troubles to my wife, Doreen,
As though the talkin' eased 'er load uv care,
I thinks uv mothers, 'ere an' everywhere,
Smilin' a bit while they are grievin' sore
For grown-up babies, fightin' Over There;
An' then I 'ears 'em sigh, "Before the war."