Page 132 - The snake's pass

120 THE SNAKE'S PASS. —
" All right, Dick," said I, having had time to recover my
temper. " The fact is that Andy has started some chaff
on me about bogs—meaning girls thereby—every time he
mentions the word to me ; and now he seems to accuse me
in some way about a girl that came to meet her father
that night I left him home at Knockcalltecrore. You
know, Joyce, that Murdock has ousted from his farm.
Now, look here, Andy ! You're a very good fellow, and
don't mean any harm ; but I entirely object to the way
you're going on. I don't mind a button about a joke. I
hope I'm not such an ass as to be thin-skinned about a
trifle, but it is another matter when you mention a young
lady's name alongside mine. You don't think of the harm
you may do. People are very talkative, and generally get
a story the wrong end up. If you mention this girl
"
whatever her name is
"Poor Miss Norah!" struck in Andy, and then osten-
—
tatiously corrected himself "I big yer 'an'r's pardon,
Miss Norah, I mane."
" This Miss Norah along with me," I went on, " and
especially in that objectionable form, people may begin
to think she is wronged in some way, and you may do
her an evil that you couldn't undo in all your lifetime.
As for me, I never even saw the girl. I heard her speak
in the dark for about half a minute, but I never set eyes
on her in my life. Now, let this be the last of all this
nonsense ! Don't worry me any more ; but run in and
tell Mrs. Keating to give you a skinful of punch, and
to chalk it up to me."