“I dursn’t take yez to Inishbawn,” said Jimmy whimpering. “My da would beat me if I did.”
Frank twisted his arm again.
“My da will cut the liver out of me,” said Jimmy.
“Stop that,” said Mr. Pennefather. “I cannot allow bullying.”
“It’s for your sake entirely that it’s being done,” said Priscilla. “You’re the most ungrateful beast I ever met. It would serve you jolly well right if we left you here to have your own arm twisted by Lord Torrington.”
Miss Rutherford was kneeling in front of a beautiful canteen, fitting aluminium plates and various articles of cutlery into the places prepared for them. She stood up and brandished a large carving fork.
“This,” she said, “will be just as effective as a revolver. You take it, Frank, and sit close to him in the boat. The moment he stops rowing or tries to go in any direction except Inishbawn you——”
She made a vicious stab in the air and then handed the fork to Frank.
A quarter of an hour later the party started. Mr. Pennefather and Lady Isabel refused to be separated. Priscilla took them in the Tortoise. They sat side by side near the mast and held each other’s hands. Priscilla, after one glance in their direction, looked resolutely past them for the rest of the voyage. Miss Rutherford sat in the bow of Jimmy Kinsella’s boat. Jimmy sat amidships and rowed. Frank, with the carving fork poised for a thrust, sat in the stern. The wind, following the departed thunderstorm, blew from the east. Priscilla set sail on the Tortoise. Jimmy hoisted his lug, but was obliged to row as well as sail in order to keep in touch with his consort. The boats grounded almost together on the shingly beach of Inishbawn.
Joseph Antony, who had made his way home through the thunderstorm, put his hand on the bow of the Tortoise.