Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/253

 pretty fair English, but his mouth was as wide and his hair was as red as ever.

Thorndyke, consumed with inward rage, inquired blandly of Mr. Mulligan:

"May I ask if you were invited by Miss Maitland to visit her?"

"Lord, no," responded Mr. Mulligan, cheerfully. "But I'm just prospecting. I don't know whether I shall like her or not after I know her better; but I expect to like her. The way she sat down on those two young women snobs added a year to my life, and I'm thinking I gave 'em a good whack or two."

"I suppose," said Thorndyke, longing to throw Mulligan out of the car-window and under the locomotive wheels, "you have engaged accommodations in Miss Maitland's neighbourhood?"

"Never a bit of it. I just found out that Miss Maitland's station was Roseboro' station on this road, and I presume there must be some sort of a hotel within reach, or I can stop at the next town."

"There are no towns in that part of the county, and Miss Maitland has informed me that there isn't