But she heard Jimmy's reply, as did some of the children who still lingered outside the door: "You've walloped me, damn you; you've walloped me!" Jimmy ran frenziedly to the door, plainly in fear that he would be "walloped" again if he did not make his escape; and when he reached the door he shrieked through unmanly tears: "My paw will wallop you; you locoed maverick--you see if he don't!" Jimmy vanished.

There was no doubt in Lawler's mind, nor in Ruth's, that he had gone to relate his trouble to his "paw;" and that "paw" would presently appear to exact the lurid punishment Jimmy desired.
But thoughts of imminent punishment were not in Lawler's mind as he faced Ruth.

There was nothing but humorous concern in his eyes and voice.
"Did he hurt you, Ruth ?" "I--I think not," she smiled; "but I have no doubt that he would have thrashed me soundly if you hadn't come when you did.

I am sorry it happened, but I just _had_ to discipline him.

He was setting a bad example for the other pupils." "Teaching school isn't the best job in the world, is it ?" "Decidedly not!" She looked quickly at Lawler, for something in his voice hinted of subtlety; and when she saw his eyes agleam with the whimsical humor that was always in them when he spoke of his hope of winning her, she knew that he had attacked her obliquely.
Her cheeks flushed, and she drooped her shining eyes from his, murmuring low: "But I am going to keep at it for the present, Kane." "I was hoping--" he began.