A child remembers being sick with the mumps, with a sore neck and swollen bumps on both sides. Because swallowing is painful, the speaker and two brothers, Will and John, all have rags tied around their faces. Only Dick is still healthy, and he enjoys teasing them by calling out sour foods like vinegar, lemon drops, and pickles, knowing it will upset them. The speaker’s tone is mostly matter-of-fact, but there is a quiet sense of shared misery among the sick children and annoyance at Dick. Then Tuesday comes and Dick is the one crying with a sore neck. After that, nobody says sour things anymore. The poem creates a light, slightly amused mood, capturing a small childhood moment where teasing stops because everyone finally knows how the other feels.
Mumps — Summary
I had a feeling in my neck, And on the sides were two big bumps; I couldn't swallow anything At all because I had the mumps.
And Mother tied it with a piece, And then she tied up Will and John, And no one else but Dick was left That didn't have a mump rag on.
He teased at us and laughed at us, And said, whenever he went by, "It's vinegar and lemon drops And pickles!" just to make us cry.
But Tuesday Dick was very sad And cried because his neck was sore, And not a one said sour things To anybody any more.