Patsy shook his head and continued his energetic investigation of his arithmetic, while Moore sought counsel from the schoolmistress, who was keenly enjoying her admirer's discomfiture.
"What will I say to the little tinker, Bessie?" he asked, ruefully.
"How should I know, Tom? I am his teacher and will have to help him if he wishes it."
"What is it troubles you?" demanded Moore, looking down on Patsy's red head.
"A sum, sir," replied Patsy.
"Show it to me."
The boy designated an example with his finger.
"'If a man sold forty eggs at one ha'penny an egg,'" read Moore from the book, "'how many eggs--'?"
Shutting up the arithmetic, he put his hand in his pocket and jingled its contents merrily.
"Is the answer to this problem sixpence?" he asked.