“He’s not satisfied, though. Look at this.”
He handed another form to Jimmy.
“From Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle. Lord Lieutenant requests explanation of disappearance of Members of Parliament.”
“Here’s the answer to that,” said Mr. Goddard. “Read it out to your uncle, Susy Lizzie, before you send it off.”
Susy Lizzie grinned broadly.
“Go on,” said Jimmy, “and do what the gentleman bids you. You’ve no right to be laughing at the business of the Government.”
“Theory current locally,” read Susy Lizzie, “that Members of Parliament have deserted their wives and aunt.”
“That’ll give him his ’nough of telegraphing for this day anyhow,” said Jimmy. “I’d like to see the way he’ll be rampaging up and down the stairs of the Castle when he gets that. It’ll show them fellows that you think mighty little of them anyway, Mr. Goddard.”
“How are the ladies getting on?”
“I’ve quietened them for a bit. They were annoyed on account of Sergeant Farrelly not coming back; but I told them it would take him a long time to be dragging Mr. Red along the road by the hair of his head, and I didn’t think he’d come without. They’ll be all right for another hour, anyway. Will I be going into the hotel and telling Bridgy to fetch you over a cup of tea? It’s after five o’clock.”