“No, I won’t cry off,” said Willie, stoutly. “I’ll stick to my word.”
“You’re grand, Willie,” cried Eva.
“I didn’t think it was in you,” cried Eileen. “Here, shake hands.”
They all solemnly shook hands, and Willie felt quite a hero.
“Oh, you don’t know me yet,” he said, cheerfully.
“An’ p’raps, after all, you might get yours given to you just the same, Willie,” said Doris, hopefully.
“No,” answered Willie. “I won’t take it. I give up all claims to it. It’s only fair to give Teddo a day when he’s leaving the district.”
Then he marched out of the room, and felt like a martyr for a good cause.
After all, they got the holiday, and the funny part of it was that Teddo wasn’t there until the evening; so they played all day, and prepared a big tea in Teddo’s honour for the evening. Just all the children and Teddo were present, and speeches were made and toasts were given till Teddo was almost in tears and wondered whatever he had done to win such regard from the assembly.
“Good luck to you, Teddo! Wherever you go you will carry all our good wishes with you, and may you never lose your kind heart,” cried Eileen.