Page 131 - The snake's pass

—
CONFIDENCES. " — 119 ;
" Shure an' I'm glad to hear it, suit ! but I might have
known be the luk iv ye and be yer shtep. Faix ! it's
aisy known whin a man has been lucky wid bogs !" The
latter sentence was spoken in a pronounced " aside."
Dick laughed, for although he was not in the secret he
could see that there was some fun intended. I did not
like his laugh, and said hotly:
" I don't understand you, Andy !
' * Is it undershtand me ye don't do ? Well, surr, if I've
said anythin' that I shouldn't, I ax yer pardon. Bogs
isn't to be lightly shpoke iv at all, at all ! " then, after
—
a pause: "Poor Miss Norah!"
"What do you mean?" said I.
" Shure yer 'an'r, I was only pityin' the poor crathur.
"
Poor thing, but this'll be a bitther blow to her intirely !
The villain was so manifestly acting a part, and he
grinned at me in such a provoking way, that I got quite
annoyed.
"Andy, what do you mean? out with it!" I said hotly.
Sure nawthin'. All I mane is, poor
" Mane, yer 'an'r?
Miss Norah
! Musha, but it'll be the sore thrial to her.
Bad cess to Knocknacar anyhow!"
" This is infernal impertinence ! Here " I was
stopped by Dick's hand on my breast:
"Easy, easy, old chap! What is this all about? Don't
get angry, old man. Andy is only joking, whatever it is.
I'm not in the secret myself, and so can give no opinion
but there is a joke somewhere. Don't let it go beyond
a joke."