“Well, my boy, have you any thing more to say?” said Ormond to the child, who looked as if he was anxious to say something more.
“I have, sir; it’s what I’d be glad to speak a word with you, Mr. Harry.”
“Speak it then—you are not afraid of this lady?” “Oh, no—that I am not,” said the boy, with a very expressive smile and emphasis.
But as the child seemed to wish that no one else should hear, Ormond retired a step or two with him behind the crowd. Tommy would not let go Miss Annaly’s hand, so she heard all that passed.
“I am afeard I am too troublesome to you, sir,” said the boy.
“To me—not the least,” said Ormond: “speak on—say all you have in your mind.”
“Why, then,” said the child, “I have something greatly on my mind, because I heard Granny talking to Moriarty about it last night, over the fire, and I in the bed. Then I know all about Mrs. M’Crule, and how, if I don’t give out, and wouldn’t give up about the grand school, on Saturday, I should, may be, be bringing you, Mr. Harry, into great trouble: so that being the case, I’ll give up entirely—and I’ll go back to the Black Islands to-morrow,” said Tommy, stoutly; yet swelling so in the chest that he could not say another word. He turned away.
As they were walking home together from the school, Moriarty said to Sheelah, “I’ll engage, Sheelah, you did not see all that passed the day.”
“I’ll engage I did, though,” said Sheelah.
“Why, then, Sheelah, you’ve quick eyes still.”