Micky looked surprised. That this dashing young blade in whose person were apparently embodied all the manly virtues, at least from the lad's point of view, should stand in dread of such a soft-eyed, red-cheeked little bundle of femininity as his schoolmistress was a matter beyond his juvenile comprehension.
"And why, sir?" asked the boy curiously.
"She 's very pretty," replied Moore. "When you are older you will understand what it is to be in awe of a trim little miss with the blue sky in her eyes and a ripple of red merriment for a mouth. In the meantime you shall show me the way to the brook."
"But she 'll lick me," objected Micky, numerous ferulings keenly in mind.
"Not she, my laddybuck. To-day I 'm coming to visit the school. Tell her that and she 'll not whack you at all."
"Won't she?"
"No, she will be so pleased, she will more than likely kiss you."
"Then why don't you go and tell her yourself? You would like the kiss, would n't you?"
"Micky," said Moore solemnly, "you have discovered my secret. I would. Ah me! my lad, how little we appreciate such dispensations of Providence when we are favored with them. Now you, you raparee--you would much rather she did n't practise osculation upon you."
Micky nodded. He did not understand what his companion meant, but he was quite convinced that the assertion made by him was absolutely correct.