Then Frank passed on through the house to find his sisters, or Flory as it might be. He had said not a word to his father in regard to Florian, fearing to touch upon a subject which, as he well knew, must be very sore. Had Florian told the truth when the deed was done, Pat Carroll would have been tried at once, and, whether convicted or acquitted, the matter would have been over long ago. In those days Pat Carroll had not become a national or even a county hero. But now he was able to secure the boycotting of his enemy even as far distant as Ballyglunin or Tuam. In the kitchen he found Ada and Edith, who had no comfort in these perilous days except when they could do everything together. At the present moment they were roasting a leg of mutton and boiling potatoes, which Frank knew were intended especially for his own eating.
"Well, my girls, you are busy here," he said.
"Oh, yes, busy!" said Ada, who had put up her face to be kissed so as not to soil her brother's coat by touching it with her hands. "How is Rachel?"
"Rachel is pretty well, I believe. We will not talk of Rachel just at present."
"Is anything wrong," asked Edith.
"We will not talk about her, not now. What is all this that has happened here?"
"We are just boycotted," said Ada; "that's all."
"And you think that it's the best joke in the world?"
"Think it a joke!" said Edith.
"Why we have to be up every morning at five o'clock," said Ada; "and at six we are out with the cows."