"You show ridiculous heat," said the School-master.
"Thank you," returned the Idiot, gracefully. "And that brings us back to the original proposition that you would do well to show a little yourself."
"Good-morning, gentlemen," said Mrs.[Pg 49] Smithers, entering the room at this moment. "It's a bright, fresh morning."
"Like yourself," said the School-master, gallantly.
"Yes," added the Idiot, with a glance at the clock, which registered 8.45—forty-five minutes after the breakfast hour—"very like Mrs. Smithers—rather advanced."
To this the landlady paid no attention; but the School-master could not refrain from saying,
"Advanced, and therefore not backward, like some persons I might name."
"Very clever," retorted the Idiot, "and really worth rewarding. Mrs. Smithers, you ought to give Mr. Pedagog a receipt in full for the past six months."
"Mr. Pedagog," returned the landlady, severely, "is one of the gentlemen who always have their receipts for the past six months."
"Which betrays a very saving disposition," accorded the Idiot. "I wish I had all I'd received for six months. I'd be a rich man."