“Is he seriously injured?”
Then tears came into the old man’s eyes. For once his splendid courage wavered.
“They wouldn’t tell me at the hospital, an’ that’s the truth, sorr; but a polisman who helped to pull him from undher the wagon said he thought he had escaped the worrst.”
“Are you and Jimmy known to any of the priests at the cathedral?”
“Sure, sorr, don’t they all know us? I remimber Canon M’Evoy comin’ there twinty-foive years ago.”
“And now, Rafferty, as one friend to another, will you let me help you?”
“Musha, an’ is it beggin’ you think I am?” and a gleam of Celtic fire shone through the mist of anguish.
“No. But you have given me good counsel tonight, and I am minded to pay for it.”
“Faith, I haven’t said a worrd that isn’t plain for all min, an’ women, too, to read, if they have a moind to look for it in the right place.”
“Sometimes one needs reminding of that, and you have done it. Come, now. Let me finance you with a few dollars, just to carry you along till Jimmy is around again.”