“If you’re goin’ back to the council, Mal’chi, what’s the matter with me takin’ the legislative nomination in the district?”
“It’s time enough to saay good marnin’ to th’ divil whin ye meet ’im, Willum.”
There was silence again, until Brennan said:
“Well, I can’t help thinkin’ it’s a fine trip to Ireland you’re losin’.”
“’Tis so,” assented Malachi.
“Yes,” sighed Brennan. And he saw his ambition pass from him. But presently he was saying in his old, cheery tone:
“Ain’t you goin’ to take somethin’?”
Malachi leaned his big body against his bar, and over his shoulder, out of the corner of his mouth, he said:
“Seegaar.”
The bartender slid the box along the counter and rang up another ten cents on the cash register.