irony in the lesson
The irony in the lesson is related to Mr. Lamb. Though he seemed to be self-confident, he was lonely from inside. He knew that no one would come back to him after the first meeting. Likewise, he did not expect Derry to return. He was so sure that Derry would never return that he climbed the ladder to collect all the apples himself, although Derry had offered to help him after informing his mother. Ironically, the old man would have died unnoticed if Derry had not returned to fill the emptiness of his own life.