'
'I've no fears,' said Ulick; 'I know very well what is the matter
with me, and that if I don't give way, it will go off in time.
You've given it a good shove with your kindness, Mrs. Kendal,' he
added, with deep emotion in his sensitive voice; 'only you must not
talk of my going home, or you'll undo all you have done.'
'Then I won't; we must try to make you a home here. And in the first
place, those lodgings of yours; you can never be comfortable in
them.'
'Ah! you saw my fire smoking. I never shall learn to make a coal
fire burn.'
'Not only that,' said Albinia, 'but you might easily find rooms much
better furnished, and fitter for you.'
'I do assure you,' exclaimed Ulick, 'you scarcely saw it! Why, I
don't think there's a room at the big house in better order, or so
good!'
'At least,' said Albinia, repressing her deduction as to the big
house of Ballymakilty, 'you have no particular love for the
locality--the river smell--the stock of good leather, &c.'
'It's all Bayford and town smell together,' said Ulick; 'I never
thought one part worse than another, begging your pardon, Mrs.
Kendal.'
'And I am sure,' she continued, 'that woman can never make your meals
comfortable. Yes, I see I am right, and I assure you hard head-work
needs good living, and you will never be a match for the rogues in
black and white without good beef-steaks. Now confess whether she
gives you dinners of old shoe-leather.
Pages:
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432