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50 A SHABBY GENTEEL STORY
" I make no doubt, sir ; you can see it in her," said Swigby
solemnly.
"And as for those gals, why, ain't they related to the fust
families in Ireland, sir ?—In course they are. As I said before,
blood's everything; and those young women have the best of it :
they are connected with the reg'lar old noblesse."
"They have the best of everythink, I'm sure," said Swigby,
"and deserve it, too," and relapsed into his morning remarks.
"What creatures! what elegance! what hair and eyes, sir!—
black, and all's black, as I say. What complexion, sir !—ay, and
what makes, too ! Such a neck and shoulders I never see !"
Gann, who had his hands in his pockets (his friend's arm being
hooked into one of his), here suddenly withdrew his hand from its
hiding-place, clenched his fist, assumed a horrible knowing grin,
and gave Mr. Swigby such a blow in the ribs as well-nigh sent him
into the water. " You sly dog !" said Mr. Gann, with inexpressible
emphasis ; " you've found that out, too, have you ? Have a care,
Joe my boy,—have a care."
And herewith Joe and Gann burst into tremendous roars of
laughter, fresh explosions taking place at intervals of five minutes
during the rest of the walk. The two friends parted exceedingly
happy; and when they met that evening at "The Nails," Gann
drew Swigby mysteriously into the bar, and thrust into his hand
a triangular piece of pink paper, which the latter read :—
" Mrs. Gann and the Misses Macarty request the honour and
pleasure of Mr. Swigby's company (if you have no better engagement)
to tea to-morrow evening, at half-past five.
"MARGARETTA COTTAGE, SALAMANCA ROAD NORTH:
" Thursday evening."
The faces of the two gentlemen were wonderfully expressive of
satisfaction as this communication passed between them. And I
am led to believe that Mrs. Gann had been unusually pleased with
her husband's conduct on that day, for honest James had no less
than thirteen and sixpence in his pocket, and insisted, as usual,
upon standing glasses all round. Joe Swigby, left alone in the
little parlour behind the bar, called for a sheet of paper, a new pen,
and a wafer, and in the space of half-an-hour concocted a very
spirited and satisfactory answer to this note; which was carried
off by Gann, and duly delivered. Punctually at half-past five Mr.
Joseph Swigby knocked at Margaretta Cottage door, in his new coat
with glistering brass buttons, his face clean-shaved, and his great
ears shining over his great shirt-collar delightfully bright and red.