"No, sir," responded Patsy, not at all intimidated by Moore's glowering looks.
"That is better," said Moore. "You are going home now?"
"No, sir."
"There you go again! Faith, I wish you would say 'Yes' and stick to it. What are you doing here at this unseasonable hour?"
"I wish to study me lessons," replied Patsy, enthusiastically.
Fairly dashed, Moore returned to Bessie.
"I never saw a lad so fond of his books before," said he.
"It is a new thing for Patsy," said Bessie with a laugh. "There is no bigger dunce in school."
"Is that so?" asked Moore. "Faith, I'm beginning to understand."
Patsy looked sharply over his book at the young poet.