These
proofs of artless generosity touched the homeless youth's heart the more
acutely, inasmuch as he could perceive but too clearly that the eye
of the master rested upon him, from time to time, with no auspicious
glance.
When the scholars were dismissed, a scene occurred which was calculated
to produce a smile, although it certainly placed the poor scholar in a
predicament by no means agreeable. It resulted from a contest among
the boys as to who should first bring him home. The master who, by that
cunning for which the knavish are remarkable, had discovered in the
course of the day that his designs upon the boy's money was understood,
did not ask him to his house. The contest was, therefore, among the
scholars; who, when the master had disappeared from the school-room,
formed themselves into a circle, of which Jemmy was the centre, each
pressing his claim to secure him.
"The right's wid me," exclaimed Thady; "I stood to him all day, and I
say I'll have him for this night. Come wid me, Jimmy. Didn't I do most
for you to-day?"
"I'll never forget your kindness," replied poor Jemmy, quite alarmed at
the boisterous symptoms of pugilism which already began to appear. In
fact, many a tiny fist was shut, as a suitable, accompaniment to the
auguments with which they enforced their assumed rights.
"There, now," continued Thady, "that I puts an ind to it; he says he'll
never forget my kindness. That's enough; come wid me, Jimmy."
"Is it enough?" said a lad, who, if his father was less wealthy than
Thady's, was resolved to put strength of arm against strength of purse.
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