"Sure," said Micky, grinning broadly, "you will have your joke."
"None of the editors will, so, if I did n't, who would?" responded Moore, with a smile not altogether untinged by bitterness. "Where are you going, Micky?"
"To school, sir, bad cess to it."
"Such enthusiasm in the pursuit of education is worthy of the highest commendation, my lad."
"Is it?" said Micky doubtfully. "What's that, Mr. Moore?"
"Commendation?"
"Yis."
"Well, if I said you were a good boy, what would that be?"
"Father would say it was a d--n lie."
Moore chuckled.