_Wm._ If someone hits him in the eye, he always hits them back! When _I_ am struck, my Ma I merely tell! On passing fat pigs in a lane, he'll give 'em each a whack! _Thos._ (_impenitently_). And jolly fun it is to hear 'em yell! [_Chorus._ _Third Verse._ _Wm._ He's always cribbing coppers--which he spends on lollipops. _Thos._ (A share of which _you_'ve never yet refused!) _Wm._ A stone he'll shy at frogs and toads, and anything that hops! _Thos._ (While you look on, and seem to be amused!) [_Chorus._ _Fourth Verse._ _Wm._ As soon as school is over, THOMAS goes a hunting squirr'ls, Or butterflies he'll capture in his hat! _Thos. You_ play at Kissing in the Ring with all the little girls! _Wm._ (_demurely_). Well, THOMAS, I can see no harm in _that_! [_Chorus._ _Fifth Verse._ _Wm._ Ah, THOMAS, if you don't reform, you'll come to some bad end! _Thos._ Oh, WILLIAM, put your head inside a bag! _Wm._ No. THOMAS, that I cannot--till you promise to amend! _Thos._ Why, WILLIAM, what a chap you are to nag! [_Chorus and dance._ THOMAS _returns to road, and regards the apple-trees longingly over top of wall._ _Thos._ Hi, WILLIAM, look ... what apples! there--don't _you_ see? And pears--my eye! just _ain't_ they looking juicy! _Wm._ Nay, THOMAS, since you're bent upon a sin, _I_ will walk on, and visit BENJAMIN! [_Exit_ WILLIAM (L. 2. E.), _while_ THOMAS _proceeds to scale the wall and climb the boughs of the nearest pear-tree. Melodramatic Music. The Monster Man-trap stealthily emerges from long grass below, and fixes a baleful eye on the unconscious_ THOMAS. _Thos._ I'll fill my pockets, and on pears I'll feast! [_Sees Man-trap, and staggers._ Oh, lor--whatever is that hugly beast! Hi, help, here! call him off!... _The Monster._ 'Tis vain to holler-- My horders are--all trespassers to swoller! You just come down--I'm waiting 'ere to ketch you. (_Indignantly._) You _don't_ expect I'm coming up to fetch you! _Thos. (politely.)_ Oh, not if it would inconvenience _you_, Sir! (_In agonised aside._) I feel my grip grow every moment looser! [_The Monster, in a slow, uncouth manner, proceeds to scramble up the tree._ Oh, here's a go! The horrid thing can _climb!_ Too late I do repent me of my crime! [_Terrific sensation chase! The Monster Man-trap leaps from bough to bough with horrible agility, and eventually secures his prey, and leaps with it to the ground._ _Thomas_ (_in the Monster's jaws_). I'm sure you seem a kind, good-natured creature-- You will not harm me? _Monster._ No--I'll only eat yer!