“Hush now,” protested McGee. “Don’t be too harrud on Dinnis, the poor bhoy. He couldn’t hilp it, you know.”
“Couldn’t help it? Couldn’t help having sixteen or seventeen girls at the same time?”
“But ye see he was such a fascinating divvil,” whispered Pat, with a grin and a wink. “The girruls, the darlints, wouldn’t let him alone at all, at all. But it nearly broke poor Dinnis’ heart whin Katie nabbed him and led him to the praste. She meant business, and there was nivver a bit av a chance for him to escape. Whin it was all over he says to me, says he: ‘Pathrick, I lave it to yez to break the news to me Maggie. It’s me Maggie Oi loved most of all other girruls in all the worruld. It’s me Maggie Oi meant to marry. Tell her, the swate crather, that me heart do be breaking. Oi’ll nivver see her again. Oi’m done wid me job, and ye’ve got it, Pathrick. Oi’m going to lave this city and go far away to some foreign country. Oi think Oi shall go to New Jersey.’ Then the poor bhoy broke down and placed his head on me breast and sprinkled me bosom wid his tears. Exchuse me, Miss Swazey, but Oi have to wipe me eyes.”
Not only did he wipe his eyes but he blew such a bugle blast with his nose that Maggie was actually frightened.
Something like a smothered snicker seemed to come from some part of the room, but Patrick coughed loudly and Maggie failed to detect the suspicious sound. Miss Swazey was affected in spite of herself. She began to choke and sob into her apron, which she now held before her eyes.
“Dennis was a fine gent,” she said. “He used to bring me candy and peanuts, and sometimes he brought me banannies and other fruit. I don’t know what I will do without Dennis.”
At this Patrick placed his hand over his heart and lay his head sidewise upon his own shoulder, while a sickly languishing light filled his eyes.
“Av ye’ll not take it amiss, Miss Swazey,” he murmured, “you nade nivver go wanting for candy and peanuts and banannies as long as Pathrick McGee remains on this bate. Av course Oi know Oi’m not such a handsome mon as Dinnis, but Oi’ve got a heart in me bosom, Oi have. Besoides thot, not being handsome, there’s no danger thot Oi’ll have sixteen or seventeen other girruls. Oi’m ready to do me bist to take the place of Dinnis.”