Annie was playing fivies all right, but Jack and Bob weren't discussing horses; they were reading Chips.
"And the scamps haven't the decency to hide it when you appear!" cried Simpson.
"Haven't the fear," I corrected.
On the way back to the school he said: "It's all very pleasant and picnicy, but eating nuts and sweets in class!"
"Makes your right arm itch?" I suggested pleasantly.
"It does," he said with a short laugh, "Man, do you never get irritated?"
"Sometimes."
"Ah!" He looked relieved. "So the system isn't perfect?"
"Good heavens!" I cried, "What do you think I am? A saint from heaven? You surely don't imagine that a man with nerves and a temperament is always able to enter into the moods of bairns! I get ratty occasionally, but I generally blame myself." I sent a girl for my bugle and sounded the "Dismiss."