He stood looking out of the window. He felt then the first liking for Mrs. O'Brien that afterwards developed into such devotion that she always declared she had two sons.
Once he approached Nell.
"I say," he said, "you know—I—I mean a lot!"
She gave a little laugh.
"So do I," she said. "Oh, Ted—"
"But you say it!" he remonstrated, and strode across to Sheila Pat, whose pig-tail he proceeded to pull. But Sheila Pat was very dignified.
"Please don't intrude. I'm thinkin'."
Presently she came to Nell.
"Nell," she whispered, "Kilbrannan's very healthy, isn't it?"
"Why, yes, sweet!"