“Never mind, old chap,” said I; “you can’t help it. Whatever he may have done wrong, you have had neither act nor part in it. It will all come right in time!” In my present state of mind I could not imagine that there was, or could be, anything in the world that would not come all right in time.
We strolled into the street, and met Andy, who immediately hurried up to me:—
“Good evenin’, yer ’an’r! An’ did ye give me insthructions to me father?”
“I did, Andy; and he asked me to tell you that all shall be done exactly as you wish.”
“Thank yer ’an’r.” He turned away, and my heart rejoiced, for I thought I would be free from his badinage; but he turned and came back, and asked with a servility which I felt to be hypocritical and assumed:—
“Any luck, yer ’an’r, wid bogs to-day?” I know I got red as I answered him:—
“Oh, I don’t know! Yes! a little—not much.”
“Shure an’ I’m glad to hear it, surr! but I might have known be the luk iv ye and be yer shtep. Faix! it’s aisy known whin a man has been lucky wid bogs!” The latter sentence was spoken in a pronounced “aside.”
Dick laughed, for although he was not in the secret he could see that there was some fun intended. I did not like his laugh, and said hotly:—
“I don’t understand you, Andy!”