No Defense, Volume 3. by Gilbert Parker
page 26 of 150 (17%)
page 26 of 150 (17%)
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good turn deserves another. I've also to tell you, sir, that Lord Mallow
has asked them to stay at King's House." "Lord Mallow has asked Americans to stay at King's House!" "But they're Irish, and he knew them in Ireland, y 'r honour." "Well, he knew me in Ireland, and I'm proscribed!" "Ah, that's different, as you know. There's no war on now, and they're only good American citizens who own land in this dominion of the king; so why shouldn't he give them courtesy?" "From whom do you get your information?" asked Dyck Calhoun with an air of suspicion. "From Darius Boland, y'r honour," answered Michael, with a smile. "Who is Darius Boland, you're askin' in y'r mind? Well, he's the new manager come from the Llyn plantations in Virginia; and right good stuff he is, with a tongue that's as dry as cut-wheat in August. And there's humour in him, plenty-aye, plenty. When did I see him, and how? Well, I saw him this mornin', on the quay at Kingston. He was orderin' the porters about with an air--oh, bedad, an air! I saw the name upon the parcels-- Miss Sheila Llyn, of Moira, Virginia, and so I spoke to him. The rest was aisy. He looked me up and down in a flash, like a searchlight playin' on an enemy ship, and then he smiled. 'Well,' said he, 'who might you be? For there's queer folks in Jamaica, I'm told.' So I said I was Michael Clones, and at that he doffed his hat and held out a hand. 'Well, here's luck,' said he. 'Luck at the very start! I've heard of |
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