Page 211 - The snake's pass

—
UN MAUVAIS QUART D'lIEURE. 199
was greatest, I could not but recall an interview which
I had had with Andy that morning, and which was not
of my seeking, but of his.
After breakfast I had been in my room, making
myself as smart as I could, for of course I hoped to
see Norah—when I heard a knock at the door, timid
but hurried. When I called to " come in," Andy's
head appeared ; and then his whole body was by
some mysterious wriggle conveyed through the partial
opening of the door. When within, he closed it,
and, putting a finger to his lip, said in a mysterious
whisper :
"
" Masther Art
!
" Well Andy ! what is it ? "
" Whisper me now
! Shure I don't want to see yer
'an'r so onasy in yer mind."
I guessed what was coming, so interrupted him, for
I was determined to get even with him.
" Now, Andy
! if you have any nonsense about your
1
Miss Norah,' I don't want to hear it."
" Whisht mustn't kape
! surr ; let me shpake. I
Misther Dick waitin'. Now take me advice ! an' take a
luk out to Shleenanaher. Ye may see some wan there
"
what ye don't ixpect —this was said with a sly mys-
!
teriousness, impossible to describe.
" No ! no ! Andy," said I, looking as sad as I could,
"I can see no one there that I don't expect."
" They do say, surr, that the fairies does take quare
shapes; and your fairy girrul may have gone to