“Yes, Chance or the fairies have given me this opening, and I must speak—even if you are mortally offended, and feel inclined to drown me in a bog-hole.”
“I won’t be offended—so go ahead; line clear.”
“The other evening I heard Sir Domnick talking about—er—er—Heganstown; he said he and your father were school-fellows.”
“That’s right. Did he happen to tell you how we had come down in the world, and were beggars?” The tone of the question was hard and bitter.
“He did, and he said he was so sorry for you, who were just wasting your life.”
“That’s true—it’s a rotten life, I know. Did he suggest any alternative?”
“No; he said he was afraid you had acquired the loafing habit—and——”
“And what else?”
“And had an attraction in the neighbourhood.”
“I suppose he meant a girl?”