There's somebody stayin' aroun' our house—

I don't know who or where—

That sneaks about an' follers me out

An' in an' ever'where

I go; an' 'sturbs my skates an' things,

An' scatters 'em all about;

But you bet your stuff it'll go mighty tough

With 'im when I find 'im out!

Though I hang my hat an' coat away,

Up on the peg with care,

I'll just be bound they can't be found

When I want 'em,—anywhere.

When I've hunted for 'em till I'm late for school,

An' mad as one ol' March hare,

An' a dozen more, right down on the floor

Somebody's went an' throwed it down,—

It's the same with my books each day,

My bat an' ball, my mittens an' all,

Though I'm sure I put 'em away.

But I tell you this: if I ever find

Who that meddlesome "somebody" is,

I'll rout 'im, an' scout 'im, an' all that's about 'im,

I'll learn 'im to mind his biz.