Part 43 (1/2)

'Just so,' resumed Walpole. 'I could not expect you to like this programme, and I know already all that you allege against it; but, as B. says, Kearney, the man who rules Ireland must know how to take command of a s.h.i.+p in a state of mutiny, and yet never suppress the revolt. There's the problem--as much discipline as you can, as much indiscipline as you can bear. The brutal old Tories used to master the crew and hang the ringleaders; and for that matter, they might have hanged the whole s.h.i.+p's company. We know better, Kearney; and we have so confused and addled them by our policy, that, if a fellow were to strike his captain, he would never be quite sure whether he was to be strung up at the gangway or made a petty-officer. Do you see it now?'

'I can scarcely say that I do see it--I mean, that I see it as _you_ do.'

'I scarcely could hope that you should, or, at least, that you should do so at once; but now, as to this seat for King's County, I believe we have already found our man. I'll not be sure, nor will I ask you to regard the matter as fixed on, but I suspect we are in relations--you know what I mean--with an old supporter, who has been beaten half-a-dozen times in our interest, but is coming up once more. I'll ascertain about this positively, and let you know. And then'--here he drew breath freely and talked more at ease--'if we should find our hands free, and that we see our way clearly to support you, what a.s.surance could you give us that you would go through with the contest, and fight the battle out?'

'I believe, if I engage in the struggle, I shall continue to the end,' said d.i.c.k, half doggedly.

'Your personal pluck and determination I do not question for a moment. Now, let us see'--here he seemed to ruminate for some seconds, and looked like one debating a matter with himself. 'Yes,' cried he at last, 'I believe that will be the best way. I am sure it will. When do you go back, Mr.

Kearney--to Kilgobbin, I mean?'

'My intention was to go down the day after to-morrow.'

'That will be Friday. Let us see, what is Friday? Friday is the 15th, is it not?'

'Yes.'

'Friday'--muttered the other--'Friday? There's the Education Board, and the Harbour Commissioners, and something else at--to be sure, a visit to the Popish schools with Dean O'Mahony. You couldn't make it Sat.u.r.day, could you?'

'Not conveniently. I had already arranged a plan for Sat.u.r.day. But why should I delay here--to what end?'

'Only that, if you could say Sat.u.r.day, I would like to go down with you.'

From the mode in which he said these words, it was clear that he looked for an almost rapturous acceptance of his gracious proposal; but d.i.c.k did not regard the project in that light, nor was he overjoyed in the least at the proposal.

'I mean,' said Walpole, hastening to relieve the awkwardness of silence--'I mean that I could talk over this affair with your father in a practical business fas.h.i.+on, that you could scarcely enter into. Still, if Sat.u.r.day could not be managed, I'll try if I could not run down with you on Friday.

Only for a day, remember, I must return by the evening train. We shall arrive by what hour?'

'By breakfast-time,' said d.i.c.k, but still not over-graciously.

'Nothing could be better; that will give us a long day, and I should like a full discussion with your father. You'll manage to send me on to--what's the name?'

'Moate.'

'Moate. Yes; that's the place. The up-train leaves at midnight, I remember.

Now that's all settled. You'll take me up, then, here on Friday morning, Kearney, on your way to the station, and meanwhile I'll set to work, and put off these deputations and circulars till Sat.u.r.day, when, I remember, I have a dinner with the provost. Is there anything more to be thought of?'

'I believe not,' muttered d.i.c.k, still sullenly.

'Bye-bye, then, till Friday morning,' said he, as he turned towards his desk, and began arranging a ma.s.s of papers before him.

'Here's a jolly mess with a vengeance,' muttered Kearney, as he descended the stair. 'The Viceroy's private secretary to be domesticated with a ”head-centre” and an escaped convict. There's not even the doubtful comfort of being able to make my family a.s.sist me through the difficulty.'

CHAPTER x.x.xIII

PLMNUDDM CASTLE, NORTH WALES

Among the articles of that wardrobe of Cecil Walpole's of which Atlee had possessed himself so unceremoniously, there was a very gorgeous blue dress-coat, with the royal b.u.t.ton and a lining of sky-blue silk, which formed the appropriate costume of the gentlemen of the viceregal household.