Frank, vaguely recollecting the advertisements which appear in our papers, suggested that the word was required “pot”.
Priscilla pointed an accusing finger at Kinsella.
“Here’s a man,” she said, “who for the last fortnight has been potting whisky—what a fool you are, Cousin Frank! Distil is the word. Joseph Antony Kinsella has been distilling whisky on this island for the last month as hard as ever he could. He’s been shipping barrels full of it underneath loads of gravel into Rosnacree, and now he’s trying to pretend he hasn’t got any. Did you ever hear such utter rot in your life? I’m not telling Lord Torrington yet, Joseph Antony; but in a minute or two I will unless you go and get a good can full.”
“For the love of God, Miss,” said Kinsella, “say no more. I’ll try if I can find a sup somewhere for the gentleman. But as for what you’re after saying about distilling——”
“Hurry up,” said Priscilla threateningly.
Kinsella went off at a sharp trot towards the south end of the island.
“Of course,” said Priscilla in a calmer tone, “he really may not have any more. That might have been the last barrel which I saw under the gravel the day before yesterday when our anchor rope got foul of the centreboard. I don’t expect it was quite the last, but it may have been. It’s very hard to be sure about things like that. However, if it was the last he’ll just have to turn to and distil some more. I don’t suppose it takes very long, and there was a fire burning on the south end of the island this morning. I saw it.”
Half an hour later Lord Torrington, wrapped in two blankets and a patchwork quilt, clothing which he had chosen in preference to Joseph Antony’s Sunday suit, was sitting in front of a blazing fire in the Kinsellas’ kitchen. He held in his hand a mug full of raw spirit and hot water, mixed in equal proportions. Each time he sipped at it he coughed. Priscilla sat beside him with a bottle from which she offered to replenish the mug after each sip. Lady Isabel, looking frightened but obstinate, stood opposite him, holding the Reverend Barnabas Pennefather by the hand.