In order to divert attention from her, for she felt her face growing hot, she said:
"I believe the south of Ireland is very mild?"
"Oh, very!" Jerry answered, with startling vivacity. "It's the mildest climate in the world; but the people are not particularly mild: they are full of fire and fight. I have no doubt Alfred will come back a regular Milesian. You know those who live a while in Ireland always become more Irish than the Irish."
"Never mind," said Mrs. Paulton. "He may become as Irish as he likes if he at the same time grows as well in health as we like."
"I intend coming back quite a Goliath, mother. I shall eat and drink everything I see," said Alfred gaily.
"You would find some of the things in the neighbourhood of Kilcash rather hard to chew. I think Mrs. Davenport will agree with me that it would take Goliath a long time to make a comfortable meal of the Black Rock, or to make a comfortable meal on it?"
At the name of the Rock, Mrs. Davenport looked up and shuddered visibly, and said, as she rested slightly on the back of her chair:
"The Black Rock is a hideous place."
Then, turning to Alfred: "You must not go there."
"I am altogether in the hands of this unprincipled wretch," answered Alfred, smiling and nodding at Jerry.