“I don’t mind bein’ early for school,” he said.
Slowly and decorously he went down the drive and disappeared from sight.
Mrs. Brown went back to the dining-room where her husband was still reading the paper.
“William’s so good to-day,” she said.
Her husband groaned.
“Eight-thirty in the morning,” he said, “and she says he’s good to-day! My dear, he’s not had time to look round yet!”
William walked down the road with a look of set purpose on his face. Near the school he met Bertram Roke. Bertram Roke was the good boy of the school.
“You’re not goin’ to school to-day, are you?” said William.
“Course,” said Bertram virtuously. “Aren’t you?”
“Me?” said William. “Don’t you know what day it is? Don’t you know it’s an extra day wot doesn’t count in the ornery year. Catch me goin’ to school on an extra day what doesn’t count in the ornery year.”