Gallagher looked at her again, long and carefully.
“Play acting!” said Moriarty, “and she’s a respectable girl. It’s not decent, so it’s not.”
“If the tune’s what you say it is,” said Gallagher, “it’ll not be played in Ballymoy to-day nor any other day. I’ll put the fear of God into young Kerrigan before he’s an hour older.”
Moriarty grinned again. It seemed that, with the aid of Gallagher, he was going to hit Dr. O’Grady on a vital spot. He understood that great importance was attached to the performance of “Rule, Brittania” by the band. Gallagher walked across to young Kerrigan.
“I know now,” he said, “what the tune is you’re meaning to play.”
“If you know that,” said Kerrigan, “you know more than I do.”
“None of your lies now. Constable Moriarty is after telling me the name of the tune.”
“If you know it,” said Kerrigan, “maybe you’ll tell me. Not that I care what the name of it is, for it’s a good tune, name or no name.”
“You will care,” said Gallagher. “You will care before the day is out.”
“Why don’t you tell me the name of it, then? if so be you know it.”