“What’s the matter with you?” said Dr. O’Grady. “To look at the expression of your face anybody’d think that the sheep in the back yard had been skinning you.”
“You know well what’s the matter with me.”
“If you’re nursing a grievance,” said Dr. O’Grady, “because Thady Gallagher told the American gentleman that you were married to Mary Ellen and had twins, you ought to have more sense.”
It is always very difficult to remain in a bad temper with anyone who insists on being pleasant and cheerful. Young Kerrigan began to give way. He grinned unwillingly.
“That’s the first I heard of twins,” he said.
“And he only said it to please the American gentleman,” said Dr. O’Grady. “Nobody believed him.”
“Sure I know well enough,” said young Kerrigan, “that there has to be lies told to the likes of that one. How else would you content them? I wouldn’t mind myself what was said, knowing it was meant for the best, only that Constable Moriarty——”
“Moriarty doesn’t mind a bit,” said Dr. O’Grady; “so if it’s only his feelings you’re thinking of, you may just as well listen to this tune.”
He whistled “Rule Britannia” through once more. He threw great spirit into the last few bars.
“It’s a good tune enough,” said young Kerrigan.