146 BEATING THE SPRINGS AND THE WOOD. 



Mrs. Brady was picking some flowers which 

 were trained round a little pillar near the steps, 

 and she turned round to greet us. 



" You have had a long distance to come, 

 Mr. Staunton. I trust we can make your stay 

 with us agreeable." 



Mrs. Brady spoke without a trace of the 

 brogue. The dinner passed off pleasantly enough, 

 and I found I could get on very well indeed with 

 Mrs. Brady. During the course of the repast 

 Mr. O'Brien intimated that a boy was to bring 

 him letters from the office in the evening, and 

 " my rod too," the ex-editor continued. " I 

 thought you wouldn't mind me making a few 

 casts in the garden ;" this half-apologetically to 

 Mrs. Brady. 



" Not at all," answered our hostess graciously ; 

 " and J trust you will be fortunate." 



In due course the boy came, with a rod 

 and landing-net, and Mr. O'Brien disap- 

 peared. 



" I wanted to have a chat with you, Mr. 

 Staunton, said Mrs. Brady. 



We walked together into the garden, and I 

 learned all about the politics and supporters of 



