So, like the crafty old fox that he was, he conjured up dreadful pictures of the fate that awaited her should she break her promise. The girl listened, terrified.
“Glory be! That ye shud even t’ink av sich a t’ing!” cried her father in conclusion. “Don’t ye know that Mary do be harknin’ till yez?”
“She hears ivery wurd ye say,” put in Bridget, unable to hold her peace.
“No!” said the poor girl, her face growing pale, “don’t say that, Aunt Ellen!”
“Don’t deny it, girl!” exclaimed her father seizing quickly upon the suggestion, “for divil the lie’s in it. She’ll go moanin’ about iver God’s blessed night wringin’ her two han’s an’ cryin’ the heart out av her! Scure till the bit av pace she’ll see till yez word’s made good.”
“Wud yez hav us visited by her?” demanded Bridget.
At this Ellen began a muttering; Bridget took it up, and Rosie stared at them, the fear in her heart showing in her wide-open eyes.
That night Malachi O’Hara waited upon his customers with looks of great satisfaction; and in the little room above the store, Rosie cried herself to sleep thinking of the letter she had sent Jimmie Larkin.
Chapter XVI
“I kape a saloon on the corner, me boys,