A WHISPER SONG

When you're coming in the door,

Please come gently, very gently!

Micky might be on the floor!

Fact, he might be anywhere!

Near the hallstand, by the stair!

Hush! step gently, very gently!

When you're coming in the door.

Tip-toe, tip-toe, hush the noise,

There's a wide-eye-whisper tune!

Micky's making songs for boys

Sleepy after the afternoon.

Anyone seen Micky here?

Him that lives above the ceiling?

Sometimes far and sometimes near

Boys have heard his little squealing.

Hush you! Hush! I heard a patter

On the‘ randah in the wet!

Now'n again we've heard him chatter,

But we've never seen him yet.

Tip-toe, tip-toe, through the house,

‘ Round the pantry, down the hall!

P'raps he's only just a mouse,

P'raps he's nuffing real at all.

Hush you! Hush! I think I hear

Just a little noise of humming!

If you see him waiting near,

Please do n't whisper him we're coming.

Someone smashed the photo-lady;

Who upset the pot of musk?

Was it Micky? Was it Padie

Hunting Micky in the dusk?

In the after afternoons

When there comes big, starey moons,

Often we've heard Micky playing

By the window, fairy tunes;

But I do n't know what he's saying

In the after afternoons.

Anyone seen Micky, say,

On the Coota-wattle perching?

He might know and run away

If he knows we're searching, searching.

When he talks to Bay and me,

Micky does n't seem to know

It's too far for boys to see

If he's in the trellis tree;

It's too damp for boys to go

Hunting in the grass below.

On the rafters in the night

I've heard little footmarks trot;

And I watch the candle light,

Wondering if it's him or not.

Micky's always everywhere;

Watches children while they sleeping;

‘ Round about the attic stair

Sometimes mother saw him peeping.

Micky does n't like much noise,

He's a wide-eye whisper fairy;

Very kind to girls and boys,

Very shy and most contrary.

Tip-toe, tip-toe! Hush the noise!

There's a wide-eye whisper tune!

Micky's telling songs to boys

Sleepy after the afternoon.