“Strange as it may appear, neither of those entrancing occupations are essential to my happiness.”
Mr. O’Neill turned and looked at me with faint surprise, but made no reply. Another pause ensued, and I began to repent of my crossness.
It was clearly my turn to make the next remark, and I said, in a more conciliatory voice—
“I suppose you don’t have very much to do here, either?”
“Oh, I am not here very much, and I can always get as much shooting and fishing as I want; but I fancy my sisters find it rather dull.”
“Are your sisters fond of music? I was very glad to find a piano at Durrus.”
His face assumed for the first time a look of interest.
“My elder sister plays a good deal; and Connie has a banjo, though I cannot say she knows much about it; and I play the fiddle a little. I believe in these parts we are considered quite a gifted family.”
I felt that I had, so to speak, “struck ile.”
“Do you play the violin?” I said, with excitement. “I delight in playing accompaniments! I hope you will bring your music with you when you come to dinner.”