"You are a ridiculously proud boy," she declared, fondly. "Well, at any rate, we can save my coat and the carpet."
I wanted to go to school very badly. Every day at half past ten there was a procession past our house of thirty little girls walking two and two. They all looked happy and important, and I thought how wonderful it might be if I should join their ranks.
Norah, who was always sympathetic, read my fortune in a teacup out in the kitchen that night to see what might be going to happen.
"There's a change coming to you," she said, mysteriously. "There's a fair woman, a widdy by the looks of her, and water to cross, and much money. Sure you'll be gitting so grand that you'll be forgitting your poor old Norah."
I put my arms around her to reassure her.
"I'll never forget you, Norah," I promised.
"Won't you then?" she cried, much pleased.
"No. And, Norah, listen! All that I learn I shall teach you myself!"
"Sure there's a great day coming for both of us," Norah agreed.