Beamish could be heard rebuking and directing her two handmaidens.
"Now then, Jinny, look alive, an' don't ack like a dyin' duck in a
thunderstorm, or you'll never get back to do YOUR bit o' spoonin'!--
Save them bones, Polly. Never waste an atom, my chuck--remember that,
when you've got an 'ouse of your own! No, girls, I always says, through
their stomachs, that's the shortcut to their 'earts. The rest's on'y
fal-de-lal-ing."--On the verandah, in face of the vasty, star-spangled
night, Tilly's head had found its resting-place, and an arm lay round
her waist.
"I shall make 'im cut off 'is beard first thing," said Jinny that night:
she was sitting half-undressed on the side of a big bed, which the three
girls shared with one another.
"Um! just you wait and see if it's as easy as you think," retorted Tilly
from her pillow. Again Purdy had let slip a golden chance to put the
decisive question; and Tilly's temper was short in consequence.
"Mrs. Dr. Mahony . . . though I do wonder 'ow 'e ever keeps people from
saying Ma-HON-y," said Jinny dreamily. She, too, had spent some time in
star-gazing, and believed she had ground for hope.
"Just listen to 'er, will you!" said Tilly angrily." Upon my word,
Jinny Beamish, if one didn't know you 'ad the 'abit of marrying yourself
off to every fresh cove you meet, one 'ud say you was downright bold!"
"YOU needn't talk! Every one can see you're as mad as can be because you
can't bring your old dot-and-go-one to the scratch.
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