“Could the band learn it?”
“It could, of course, if so be that I had the tune right on the cornet. It would be a queer thing if I couldn’t incense the rest of them into doing what had to be done with the other instruments.”
“I can’t play the cornet myself,” said Dr. O’Grady, “but I’ll whistle the tune to you as often as you like, or if you prefer it we might get the loan of a piano somewhere, and I’ll play it for you. I can’t borrow the Major’s again for reasons which I’m not in a position to explain to you, but we can easily get the use of another if you think it would help you.”
“The whistling will do,” said young Kerrigan. “Will you come inside with me now and I’ll try can I get it. But, doctor——”
He hesitated and looked doubtfully at Dr. O’Grady. It was plain that he had a favour to ask and was a little afraid of asking it.
“Well,” said Dr. O’Grady encouragingly.
“If so be that you were to see Moriarty——” said young Kerrigan.
Then he hesitated again.
“I see far too much of him,” said Dr. O’Grady.
“I’d be obliged to you if you’d tell him that I never looked next nor nigh Mary Ellen, nor wouldn’t. Even if I wanted the girl I wouldn’t go behind Moriarty’s back to get her; and I don’t want her.”