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After various solutions had been suggested by Father Healy, Dr. Marsh, and Denis, old Samuel Quirk calmly settled the matter. "Kathleen will stay here, and keep the house for me," he said. "She will be my daughter. What would I be doing all alone in this big house?" The few days that had elapsed since Mrs. Quirk's death had changed him into a decrepit old man.
This accusation came as a thunderbolt to the Council, when those who were friendly to Garnett were pondering how they should act in view of Denis Quirk's charges; and those who stood opposed to Garnett were rejoicing in his discomfort. To the former his counter charges came as a relief; to the latter they brought doubt and consternation.
Father Healy was for the moment bereft of the power of speech. He could not understand Denis Quirk's attitude. At last he cried: "You are accused of being a divorced man!" "If I am, the action was not from me. I then adopted the attitude I now propose to adopt. I merely sat quiet. There are persons concerned in this whom I refuse to injure." "And what do you intend to do?" asked Father Healy.
I am not quite settled about the title yet; and you literary gentlemen are so quick and clever with suggestions I am sure you will give me good advice. And I've had a number of different titles printed, to see how they look in type; what do you think of this one? At present it seems to be the favorite; it was Mr. Quirk's suggestion "
Within an hour after my arrival, I learned from my brothers that there was to be a dance that night at a settlement about fifteen miles up the river. They were going, and it required no urging on their part to insure the presence of Quirk's three boys. Supper over, a fresh horse was furnished me, and we set out for the dance, covering the distance in less than two hours.
And doesn't he love his old mother?" asked the fond old mother. "Why shouldn't he?" asked Kathleen. "I love her as if she were my own mother." "God bless you, child. I believe you do. Did you see what he has brought me? Brooches and shawls! But what good is jewellery to me? You must take them." "No, no!" cried Kathleen, hastily. "You must keep them for Mr. Quirk's wife."
What if the dogs start to worry the sheep? I accuse Councillor Garnett in this matter of abusing his position as a councillor. I accuse him of disingenuousness that borders on fraud." "Oh, come, come," said an elderly councillor, who was constantly scandalised by Denis Quirk's want of municipal decorum. "Fraud is an unpleasant word." "Undoubtedly," Denis continued. "But it amounts to that.
Quirk's face is the worst part of him," said Kathleen. "I have a dread of ugly men. I select my staff with particular attention to good looks. What queer old people those Quirks are! The old woman should be in the kitchen; I am sure she would feel more at home there." Now, if there was one subject upon which Kathleen felt keenly, it was the virtues of Mrs. Quirk.
"I don't actually say that, for there's good stuff in you, but if you can't behave, you can't go too soon," said Denis. Cairns was standing near the door, and he heard these exchanges. He had a very kindly feeling for Desmond, and when the reporter came from Denis Quirk's room Cairns drew him into his own. "Quirk is blunt, but he is true," he said.
Quirk was deeply hurt at what she regarded as an insult to the old man. Fortunately, however, an event occurred during the day that entirely diverted Mrs. Quirk's attention from the picture of her husband. It was one of Kathleen's duties to read to Mrs. Quirk the few letters that came for her.
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