"Ah," said Farrell, lifting the latch of the school-house door, "I like dealing with you, Sir Percival."
At almost the same moment Bessie Dyke entered at the opposite side. Sir Percival bowed in his most courtly manner.
"Here is the missing damsel at last," he said.
Moore pushed the half-closed door open and stepped in, bucket in hand.
"There is more to follow," he announced, setting his burden in an out-of-the-way corner as he spoke.
"More?" echoed Sir Percival, questioningly.
"Yes, Tom Moore."
"A villainous pun, upon my honor."
"A pun upon your honor might well be such," said Moore, coming forward.
Sir Percival allowed an expression of surprise to pass over his handsome face.