Light O' the Morning: The Story of an Irish Girl by L. T. Meade (best chinese ebook reader .TXT) ๐
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- Author: L. T. Meade
Read book online ยซLight O' the Morning: The Story of an Irish Girl by L. T. Meade (best chinese ebook reader .TXT) ๐ยป. Author - L. T. Meade
โWell,โ said Nora restlessly, โI know nothing about the matter. I am sorry; but I am afraid I am powerless to interfere.โ
โOh, Miss Nora!โ said Finnigan, โyou know very well that you have kissed the Blarney Stone, and that no one can resist you. If you were to say a word to the Squire he would give me my due; and now that so much money has been put into O'Shanaghgan, it would be a very fine thing for me to have the collecting of the rents. I am a poor man, Miss Nora, and this business ought not to be given over my head to a stranger.โ
โI will speak to father by-and-by,โ said Nora; โbut I doubt if I can do anything. But I have come to-day to ask you to do something for me.โ
โAnd what is that, Miss Nora? I am sure I'd be proud to help such a beautiful young lady in any way.โ
โI dislike compliments,โ said Nora, coloring with annoyance. โPlease listen. You know the man you evicted from the cabin on the side of Slieve NagornaโAndy Neil?โ
โPerfectly well, perfectly well,โ answered Finnigan,
โYou had my father's orders?โ
โI had that, Miss Nora.โ
โI want you, Mr. Finnigan, now to take my orders and to give Andy back his cabin. Put a bit of roof over itโanything, even an old tarpaulinโanything, so that he may sleep there if he likes to-night. I want you to do this for me, and allow me to take the risk of offending my father.โ
โWhat!โ said Finnigan, โand risk myself all chance of getting the agency. No, no, Miss Nora. Besides, what would all the other tenants say who have been evicted in their time? The man shall get his cabin back and a fresh roof and new windows, by the same token, when he pays his rent, and not before.โ
โBut he has no money to pay his rent.โ
โThen he must stay out, Miss Nora.โ
โI wish, I wish,โ said Nora, clasping her hands and speaking with passion, โthat you would oblige me in this. Indeed, it is of the utmost importance.โ
โWhat!โ said Finnigan, going up to her and staring into her face; โhas that scoundrel threatened? Is it possible?โ
โNo, no, no; you are mistaken,โ said Nora eagerly. โI only meant that IโIโpitied him so much.โ
โThat being the case, Miss Nora, I will say nothing further. But the fact is, I have before had my suspicions as to the hand which pulled that trigger which sent the shot into the Squire's leg, and it would be an extremely graceful act on my part to have that person arrested, and would doubtless insure the agency for me. But I will say no more; only, please understand, under no circumstances, except the payment of the rent, can Andy Neil get back his cabin.โ
CHAPTER XXXIV. โ A DARING DEED.
Having failed to get any help from John Finnigan, Nora returned to the Castle. As she drove quickly home she was very silent. Even loquacious Molly did not care to interrupt her thoughts. As soon as they reached the Castle she turned to her cousin and spoke quickly.
โGo to the barn and look after father, Molly. Talk as many naughty words as ever you like; make him laugh; keep him occupied. After dinner I shall probably want your aid again. In the meantime you will help me best by taking father off my hands.โ
โAnd I desire nothing better,โ answered Molly. โI love the Squire; it is the height of entertainment, as he would call it, to talk to him.โ
Molly accordingly ran off. The Squire was now well enough to sit up in a great easy-chair made of straw, which had been carted over from Cronane for his special benefit, for the padded and velvet-covered chairs of the Castle would not at all have suited his inclinations. He sat back in the depths of his chair, which creaked at his every movement, and laughed long and often at Molly's stories.
โBut where's Light o' the Morning herself?โ he said after a pause. โWhy don't she come to visit her old father? Why, it's craving for a sight of her I am.โ
โI think Nora is very busy to-day,โ answered Molly, โMay I read the paper to you, Squire?โ
โYou read the paper to me?โ answered Squire O'Shanaghgan. โWhy, bless yer little heart, my pretty girleen, but I must decline with thanks. It is perfect torture to listen to your English accent when you are trying to do the rich Irish brogue. Irish papers should be read by Irish colleens, and then you get the flavor. But what did you say my colleen was afterโbusiness, is it? She's very fond of poking that little finger of hers into other people's pies. What is she after now at all, at all?โ
โI cannot tell you,โ answered Molly, coloring slightly as she spoke.
The Squire looked annoyed and suspicious.
โYou go and call her to me,โ he said. โTell her to come along this blessed minute; say it's wanting her I am.โ
Molly ran out of the barn. She found Nora in earnest conversation with Angus, while Hannah Croneen stood close by plucking now and then at the girl's skirt, looking eagerly into her face, and uttering such ejaculations as โOh, glory!โ โBe the powers!โ โDid ye ever hear the like?โ โWell, well, that beats all!โ
โNora,โ said Molly, โwill you go to your father? He wants you immediately.โ
โHave you let out anything?โ said Nora, turning and looking anxiously at Molly.
โNo; but he asked after you, and I said you were busy. The Squire said then, 'I hope she is not poking her little finger into other people's pies.'โ
โWell, I will go to him,โ said Nora. โI'll manage him. You stay where you are, Molly.โ
Nora's black hair was curling in crisp waves all round her beautiful white forehead. Her dark-blue eyes were darker and more shining than ever, there was a richer bloom on her cheeks, and there were sweeter smiles on her lips than she had ever perhaps worn before as she now entered the Squire's room.
โWell, father?โ she said.
Squire O'Shanaghgan, who had been sitting wrapped in thought, roused himself on her
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