"That? You sought me to tell me that?"
"I did."
"You are sure? And for naught else?"
"As I live, Duke."
The eyes fixed on the Honourable were searching. Sir Duke hesitated,
then held out his hand. In a swift but cordial silence it was taken.
Nothing more could be said then. It is only in plays where gentlemen
freely discuss family affairs before a curious public. Pretty Pierre was
busy with a decoction. Jo Gordineer was his associate. Shon had drawn
back, and was apparently examining the indentations on his gold-pan.
"Shon, old fellow, come here," said Sir Duke Lawless.
But Shon had received a shock. "It's little I knew Sir Duke Lawless--"
he said.
"It's little you needed to know then, or need to know now, Shon, my
friend. I'm Duke Lawless to you here and henceforth, as ever I was then,
on the wallaby track."
And Shon believed him. The glasses were ready.
"I'll give the toast," said the Honourable with a gentle gravity. "To
Shon McGann and his Tobogan Ride!"
"I'll drink to the first half of it with all my heart," said Sir Duke.
"It's all I know about."
"Amen to that divorce," rejoined Shon.
"But were it not for the Tobogan Ride we shouldn't have stopped here,"
said the Honourable; "and where would this meeting have been?"
"That alters the case," Sir Duke remarked. "I take back the 'Amen,'"
said Shon.