Part 45 (2/2)
”Could they not?” said Harrigan, with rising temper. ”I tell ye, ye black Highlander, that wan Irishman--”
”Hush,” said Kate earnestly; for the Spaniard was staring at them in amaze. ”It is a world war, and no time for jealousy. England--Scotland --Ireland--and America, too, in time--we will all be fighting for one purpose. And when the last test comes, the United States--”
She stopped with a gesture of pride, and Harrigan said with deep feeling: ”Aye, they're a hard lot, the Yankees. But as for the Scotch,”
he went on in a murmur which only McTee could hear--”as for the Scotch, I wouldn't be wipin' my feet on 'em, when it comes to the fightin'.
D'ye hear me, McTee?”
”And understand,” said McTee, smiling broadly, so that none of the rest might understand; ”our time is close at hand, Harrigan. We're on dry land.”
”We are--thank G.o.d,” answered Harrigan, ”but play the game, McTee, till the girl is cared for.”
In the meantime Senor Jose had explained to Kate the nearness of the city--El Ciudad Grande--for she had been asking many urgent questions.
The upshot of their conversation was that their host offered to take them immediately into the town, where they could find accommodation at the one hotel--if they refused his further hospitality. So in half an hour Senor Jose's carriage of state was harnessed and the four journeyed into El Ciudad Grande.
Senor Jose went with them to explain to the hotel owner that these were his guests--his dear friends--his friends of many years' standing--in fact, his relatives in close blood. In short, he recommended the party to the special care of the hotelkeeper. Business called the hospitable Spaniard away. He refused to accept any consideration for the clothes which he donated to the party, and McTee jingled a handful of Henshaw's gold in vain. Senor Jose must depart, but he would return the next day.
So the three stood alone together at last. Harrigan was the first to speak.
”I've an engagement. I'm afther havin' some important business on hand, Kate, colleen, so I'll be steppin' out.” And he turned to go.
”Wait,” she called. ”I know what your engagements are when the Irish comes so thick on your tongue, Dan. You were about to have an engagement also, Angus?”
McTee glowered on Harrigan for having so clumsily betrayed them.
”You are like children,” she said softly, ”and you let me read your minds.”
She bowed her head in long thought.
Then: ”Didn't we pa.s.s the sign of the British consul down the street over that little building?”
”Yes,” said McTee, wondering, and again she was lost in thought.
Then she raised her head and stepped close to them with that smile, half whimsical and half sad.
”I'm going to ask you to let me be alone for a time--for a long time.
It will be sunset in five hours. Will you let me have that long to do some hard thinking? And will you promise me during that time that you will not fly at each other's throats the moment you are out of my sight? For what I will have to say at sunset I know will make a great deal of difference in your att.i.tude to each other.”
”I'll promise,” said Harrigan suddenly. ”I've waited so long--I can stand five hours more.”
”I'll promise,” said McTee; but he scowled upon the floor.
CHAPTER 39
They left her and walked from the hotel. At the door Harrigan turned fiercely upon the Scotchman.
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