Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/73

 his way back, an' hopin' for a return job. I think ye'll be able to make a bargain with him if ye wish."

I made to this kindly speech a hasty and, I felt, an ill-conditioned reply, to the effect that I was going to stay in the neighbourhood for only a few days and would not require the car. I then went to my room, and locked my door muttering a malediction on officious people. I stayed there for some time, until I thought that probably Andy had gone on his way, and then ventured out.

I little knew Andy, however. When I came to the hall, the first person that I saw was the cheerful driver, who came forward to welcome me:—

"Musha! but it's glad I am to see yer 'an'r. An' it'll be the proud man I'll be to bhring ye back to Westport wid me."

"I'm sorry Andy," I began, "that I shall not want you, as I am going to stay in this neighbourhood for a few days."

"Sthay is it? Begor! but it's more gladerer shtill I am. Sure the mare wants a rist, an' it'll shute her an' me all to nothin'; an' thin whilst ye're here I can be dhrivin' yer 'an'r out to Shleenanaher. It isn't far enough to intherfere wid her rist."

I answered in, I thought, a dignified way—I certainly intended to be dignified:—

"I did not say, Sullivan, that I purposed going out