“I know he’s going to tell us the right thing,” said Nora.
“How could I do itherwise wid yer bright eyes cheering me?” he asked, with his expansive grin. “The same is this: Do ye two spalpeens go down to the launch and stay there till morning while I remain behind wid the misthress and sweet Nora, and keep off the burglars wid that same gun that sarved me so well.”
Only Alvin and Chester knew the chivalry of this proposal. Mike regretted keenly the separation from them, even though it promised to be for only a few hours.
“That is asking too much,” said the widow, though her countenance brightened with pleasure.
“How can the same be asking too much whin ye haven’t asked it?”
Nora clapped her hands.
“I can’t hilp it if she looks upon mesilf as worth the two of ye,” said Mike, with an assumption of dignity that deceived no one.
“It is good on your part, Mike,” said Alvin. “I feel as if we ought to give attention to the boat, and you may as well stay here. We’ll wait for you in the morning.”
“Don’t feel obleeged to do the same. Something may turn up that may cause ye to hurry off. If it be so, don’t tarry a minute for me.”
“Possibly you may prove right, but we shall hate to leave you behind.”