"Master Chris, I shall always stay where my duty calls me," she answered with loftiness, "as my mistress knows."
"Certainly," Granny replied soothingly. "Chris, I cannot permit you to speak to Briggs in such a way. Where are your lesson-books?"
"Here, mum," Briggs said, producing two or three diminutive red books and a tiny slate.
"Thank you. Then you had better go and get on with your work," said Granny, and Briggs left, with a last admonitory look at the little beggar, which he received with one of defiance.
"May Jack do lessons too? He's just outside," he asked as Granny opened his reading-book.
"Very well," she agreed, and he ran off to fetch him. He returned presently, followed by his four-legged friend, who, selecting a sunny spot near the window, lay basking there, blinking at us lazily with sleepy eyes, as from time to time he roused himself to snap at the flies within reach.
"I want to get on your knee, my Granny," Chris said, suiting the action to the word.
"I don't think you will do your lessons so well," she said, doubtfully.
"Oh yes, I will!" he replied coaxingly, and was allowed to remain.
"Let us read this," he proposed, opening his book and pointing to a page.