Forgetful Pa

My Pa says that he used to be A bright boy in geography; An' when he went to school he knew The rivers an' the mountains, too, An' all the capitals of states An' bound'ry lines an' all the dates They joined the union. But last night When I was studyin' to recite I asked him if he would explain The leading industries of Maine— He thought an' thought an' thought a lot, An' said, 'I knew, but I've forgot.' My Pa says when he was in school He got a hundred as a rule; An' grammar was a thing he knew Becoz he paid attention to His teacher, an' he learned the way To write good English, an' to say The proper things, an' I should be As good a boy in school as he. But once I asked him could he give Me help with the infinitive— He scratched his head and said: 'Great Scott! I used to know, but I've forgot. My Pa says when he was a boy Arithmetic was just a toy; He learned his tables mighty fast An' every term he always passed, An' had good marks, an' teachers said: 'That youngster surely has a head.' But just the same I notice now Most every time I ask him how To find the common multiple, He says, 'That's most unusual! Once I'd have told you on the spot, But somehow, sonny, I've forgot.' I'm tellin' you just what is what, My Pa's forgot an awful lot!