Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/131

 "Shure an' I'm glad to hear it, surr! 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.

"Mane, yer 'an'r? Sure nawthin'. All I mane is, poor 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."