He was wet through with the dew and quite earthy from diving into the burrows the Boy had made for him in the flower bed, and Nana grumbled as she rubbed him off with a corner of her apron.
If someone's qualities or habits rub off on you, you develop some of their qualities or habits after spending time with them. He was a tremendously enthusiastic teacher and that rubbed off on all the children I was hoping some of his genius might rub off