Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Re Hearsing

A salesman asked a mortician,
How he happened to choose this work.
"There's other things I might have done,"
"Perhaps - just ended up a clerk."
"But, Dad built this business up,"
"And said that it would be a shame"
"Not to have his only pup"
"Carry on the family name."
"When Dad fell ill, there was no way"
"To tell him I wanted no part"
"Of his life's work. What could I say?"
"He died. I wouldn't break his heart."

"You could have told him you weren't sure."
"What - and lose my first customer?"