Mr. Billing hesitated for a moment. It was not clear whether he meant to promise a handsome subscription or merely to say that he would help in collecting the necessary money. Dr. O’Grady thought it well to assume at once that a subscription had been promised.
“Good,” he said, “take note of that, Thady, and announce it to the Urban District Council at the next meeting. Mr. Billing will hand over his subscription to the treasurer as soon as one is appointed. You can arrange about a proper vote of thanks being passed.”
Mr. Billing seemed quite pleased at this interpretation of his unfinished sentence. He went on to make another promise.
“And I think I may safely guarantee,” he said, “on behalf of the people of Bolivia——they can never forget——”
“They oughtn’t to,” said the doctor. “After all he did more for them than he ever did for us.”
“He was born here,” said Mr. Billing, “and that’s something to be proud of.”
“And we are proud of it. Thady Gallagher is having an article in his paper next week saying how much we appreciate the dear old General. Aren’t you, Thady?”
“I am, of course,” said Gallagher.
Then, lest he should be committed any further, Gallagher slipped away and joined Major Kent and Doyle. They were standing together near the motorcar in high debate as to whether the price of the filly was to be £30 or £34. The Major had abated one pound of the price he asked at first. Doyle had, so far, resisted every effort to induce him to make an advance upon his original offer. They were both enjoying themselves greatly. But Gallagher interrupted them.
“The doctor knows all about him,” he said, “thanks be to God he’s——”