" Flanders obligingly
reduced his stride so that the boy was not forced to run to keep up
with him. "I cut lessons, sir, to have a word with you. I just want to
wish you good luck and joy, Mr. Flanders. You have won the heart and
hand of the fairest lady in the land."
Flanders stopped in his tracks. "I say, youngster, that's--that's
corking of you." He was blushing. "I had no idea that you children
were on to us, so to speak. Thank you, Freddie."
"I have been on to you, Mr. Flanders, from the beginning. She is the
loveliest lady--" he swallowed hard--"in the world, and I just wanted
to tell you that if you don't treat her well I'll--I'll--well, you'll
see."
Flanders was not smiling. He understood boys. He laid his big hand on
the little fellow's sturdy shoulder and said, very seriously:
"I consider myself most fortunate, old chap, in having the advantage
of you in years. If you were my own age, I should have stood small
chance of winning the loveliest lady in the world. Shake hands,
Freddie. I shall treat her well, my lad.
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