gressed her cheeks, colorless from a life indoors, took on a delicate flush. “Big Jim” looked around the room and saw that none of the women there had her charm. And then he thought of the three years she had suffered immurement, uncomplaining, and a flush of shame warmed him, for he carried fair play as an item in his creed.
But when the Honorable Patrick Corrigan, leader in Dougherty’s district and a friend of his, saw them and came over to the table, matters got to the three-quarter stretch. The Honorable Patrick was a gallant man, both in deeds and words. As for the Blarney stone, his previous actions toward it must have been pronounced. Heavy damages for breach of promise could surely have been obtained had the Blarney stone seen fit to sue the Honorable Patrick.
“Jimmy, old man!” he called; he clapped Dougherty on the back; he shone like a midday sun upon Delia.
“Honorable Mr. Corrigan—Mrs. Dougherty,” said “Big Jim.”
The Honorable Patrick became a fountain of entertainment and admiration. The waiter had to fetch a third chair for him; he made another at the table, and the wineglasses were refilled.
“You selfish old rascal!” he exclaimed, shaking an arch finger at “Big Jim.” “to have kept Mrs. Dougherty a secret from us.”
[37]
