Part 6 (1/2)

looking wicked, ”but perhaps I shouldn't be admitted at all.

”Not but that I'd stand as good a chance as Jack,” she finished with a decisive air.

”Is Jack Mr O'Hara?”

”Yes. He lives at the Parsonage next door to us.”

”And you've known him all your life?”

”Every single bit of it. I can remember hitting him in the face, and kicking at him generally, as soon as I can remember anything.”

”Then I suppose you've made up for it all since.”

”Oh, dear no! except to hit harder as I grew stronger.”

”He's very handsome,” said Ted a little thoughtfully. ”He's Irish,”

replied Paddy promptly.

”Ah, yes! I forgot,” slyly; ”it covers a mult.i.tude of sins, doesn't it, to be Irish?”

”We usually call them virtues!” she rapped out, quick as lightning, and then they both laughed, and a moment later the Colonel was heard calling to them to come and play Bridge with him.

The following morning they sailed back together, and Ted was made to remain, much to his delight, for the rest of the day. They played tennis all the afternoon, and then, after having tea on the lawn, rowed across the Loch to Warrenpoint to listen to the Pierrots. When they came to sit quietly, however, everything did not continue quite so smoothly. Jack had been playing tennis with Paddy most of the afternoon, because it made more even games, but now he manifested a marked desire to talk to Eileen, just as Ted, who had been playing with Eileen, wanted now to talk to Paddy. With the usual contrariness of events, Eileen was perfectly indifferent which of the two she talked to, but Paddy, a little upset by her old playfellow's growing predilection for her quiet sister, wanted to talk to Jack.

The time had hardly come yet for Paddy to realise just why she was upset. She only knew that Jack somehow stood alone in her little world, and felt vaguely that no future could be happy without him.

For a little while she succeeded in keeping the conversation general, but as Eileen grew more and more dreamy, and Jack silent, she finally tossed her head, told them they were the dullest pair she had ever the misfortune to be out with, and went for a walk along the front with Ted.

Meanwhile, left to themselves, Jack again introduced a certain topic constantly in his mind.

”The Blakes came back to-day,” he said suddenly; ”they crossed last night.”

Eileen gave a little start, and was silent a moment.

”How do you know?” she asked at last.

”Barrett, at the station, told me they were in the boat train.”

”How many of them?” trying to speak naturally.

”All, Mrs Blake, Kathleen, Doreen, and Lawrence.”

There was a pause, then he added, ”I suppose Lawrence has just come to settle them in.”

Eileen remained silent. The news had taken her by surprise, as she had not expected them for a week or two, and she felt her pulses throbbing oddly.

Then an unaccountable presentiment that Lawrence was somewhere near took possession of her, and, making some excuse about feeling cold, she got up to follow Paddy and Ted Masterman along the front. Jack, wis.h.i.+ng very much to remain as they were, was obliged to get up also, and they walked briskly in the direction of Rostrevor.

They had not gone far before Eileen caught her breath a little, at the sight of two figures coming toward them.