“Let me see, it’s nearly half past two, and I’ll have to spend a few minutes pacifying the Major. Suppose you tell her to meet me at Mrs. Gregg’s at a quarter past three. Will you be sure to give her that message?”
“I will,” said Moriarty.
“And don’t you keep the girl late now, Moriarty, with love making in the pig-stye or any nonsense of that kind.”
“Is it likely I would?”
“It is very likely. But don’t do it.”
“It is not likely then, seeing as how I ought to be back in the barrack this minute on account of the way Mr. Gregg has the sergeant annoyed——”
“There’s only one thing worse than keeping Mary Ellen late,” said Dr. O’Grady, “and that is delaying me. Be off with you at once.”
Constable Moriarty marched off towards the barrack, fully determined to call on Mary Ellen on the way. Dr. O’Grady went into the stable yard to look for Major Kent. He found him smoking a pipe and reading the last number of the Connacht Eagle in an empty loose box.
“I thought you’d like to know,” said Dr. O’Grady, “that I’ve finished with the piano, so you can go back into the house again.”
“Quite sure you’re finished?” said the Major.