Young Larkin drew his breath, slowly, after all had been said, and then expelled it with great force. He held out his hand to Larry.
“It’s up to me,” said he. “I might a-knowed, old pal; but youse know how it is.”
“It’s all right,” said Murphy, shaking his hand; “on’y ye might a-looked at it that way before ye jumped me. But let it go at that, it’s all to the good now.”
“But the promise,” said Rosie. “That’ll always be there; I can’t break it; I’d be frightened to.”
“Gee!” cried Larkin, impatiently. “Don’t mind that; Mary was outa her head, see? And the old ones was a-workin’ youse; they was after Murphy’s money, see?”
But the fear was implanted too deeply in her breast to be moved by this. Larry understood and pondered the matter, while Jimmie argued and Rosie sobbed.
“Why, it’s easy,” said he, suddenly. “You needn’t break your promise, Rosie, if youse’re afraid.”
The others looked at him, hopefully.
“It was you what promised,” said Larry. “I didn’t say a word, see? I’ll lay down! I won’t marry youse; and if I won’t, how kin youse go ahead, eh? It lets youse out! That’s what it does—it lets youse out!”
The simplicity of this made Larkin stare, and caused Rosie hopefully to dry her eyes. Larry was vociferously triumphant; he saw all made clear, and was as happy as he desired them to be.