Part 18 (1/2)
”How much did you make off that?” inquired Mary.
”Two points,” answered Jimmy. ”Found out that Dannie ain't sore at me any longer and that you are.”
Next morning was no sort of angler's weather, but the afternoon gave promise of being good fis.h.i.+ng by the morrow. Dannie worked about the farms, preparing for winter; Jimmy worked with him until mid-afternoon, then he hailed a boy pa.s.sing, and they went away together. At supper time Jimmy had not returned. Mary came to where Dannie worked.
”Where's Jimmy?” she asked.
”I dinna, know” said Dannie. ”He went away a while ago with some boy, I didna notice who.”
”And he didn't tell you where he was going?”
”No.”
”And he didn't take either of his fish poles?”
”No.”
Mary's lips thinned to a mere line. ”Then it's Casey's,” she said, and turned away.
Dannie was silent. Presently Mary came back.
”If Jimmy don't come till morning,” she asked, ”or comes in shape that he can't fish, will you go without him?”
”To-morrow was the day we agreed on,” answered Dannie.
”Will you go without him?” persisted Mary.
”What would HE do if it were me?” asked Dannie.
”When have you iver done to Jimmy Malone what he would do if he were you?”
”Is there any reason why ye na want me to land the Black Ba.s.s, Mary?”
”There is a particular reason why I don't want your living with Jimmy to make you like him,” answered Mary. ”My timper is being wined, and I can see where it's beginning to show on you. Whativer you do, don't do what he would.”
”Dinna be hard on him, Mary. He doesna think,” urged Dannie.
”You niver said twer words. He don't think. He niver thought about anybody in his life except himself, and he niver will.”
”Maybe he didna go to town!”
”Maybe the sun won't rise in the morning, and it will always be dark after this! Come in and get your supper.”
”I'd best pick up something to eat at home,” said Dannie.
”I have some good food cooked, and it's a pity to be throwin' it away.
What's the use? You've done a long day's work, more for us than yoursilf, as usual; come along and get your supper.”
Dannie went, and as he was was.h.i.+ng at the back door, Jimmy came through the barn, and up the walk. He was fresh, and in fine spirits, and where ever he had been, it was a sure thing that it was nowhere near Casey's.
”Where have you been?” asked Mary wonderingly.