Not only did he wipe his eyes but he blew such a bugle blast with his nose that Maggie was actually frightened.
Something like a smothered snicker seemed to come from some part of the room, but Patrick coughed loudly and Maggie failed to detect the suspicious sound. Miss Swazey was affected in spite of herself. She began to choke and sob into her apron, which she now held before her eyes.
“Dennis was a fine gent,” she said. “He used to bring me candy and peanuts, and sometimes he brought me banannies and other fruit. I don’t know what I will do without Dennis.”
At this Patrick placed his hand over his heart and lay his head sidewise upon his own shoulder, while a sickly languishing light filled his eyes.
“Av ye’ll not take it amiss, Miss Swazey,” he murmured, “you nade nivver go wanting for candy and peanuts and banannies as long as Pathrick McGee remains on this bate. Av course Oi know Oi’m not such a handsome mon as Dinnis, but Oi’ve got a heart in me bosom, Oi have. Besoides thot, not being handsome, there’s no danger thot Oi’ll have sixteen or seventeen other girruls. Oi’m ready to do me bist to take the place of Dinnis.”
“Oh, but I’ll never trust another man—never! never!” moaned Maggie. “They’re all deceivers, every one of them!”
“Oi wouldn’t desave yez for the worruld,” assured the visitor earnestly. “Just give me one trial, Maggie, me darlint. It’s awful lonesome ye’ll be now without Dinnis to come round and tap at yer windy. Ye’ll be afther broodin’ over yer throubles, and maybe ye’ll pine away and doie.”
“I hope I do!” sighed Maggie. “I’d like a quiet resting spot in the cold, cold ground. If I die, perhaps Dennis would come to my grave some time and place a flower upon it.”
“Or a bananny,” said Patrick. “But yez couldn’t ate a bananny then.”
“If Dennis could only see me in my coffin, I know he’d have remorse. I know—boo, hoo!”