64 Simpson's snipe 



difference that I was far from participating in ; 

 " but there are times when I assure — ha, ha ! it 

 may appear incredulous, that we cannot stir a single 

 feather." 



" Have you much snipe, Mr Smithe ? " 



" Sorra a wan," replied Billy. 



" Your gamekeeper ? " asked Simpson, jerking his 

 head in the direction of my retainer. 



" My factotum. He is one of the family. A 

 regular character, and I trust you will make allow- 

 ances for him." 



" I love characters. Depend upon it we shall 

 not fall out." 



Simpson chatted very agreeably, and very small. 

 He had read the Irish Times during the rail jour- 

 ney, and was master of the situation. Some men 

 take five shillings-worth out of a penny paper. This 

 was one of them. He had sucked it all in, and the 

 day's news was coming out through the pores of his 

 skin. As a rule, such men are to be avoided. 

 The individual who persistently asks you "What 

 news ? " or " Is there anything new to-day ? " is a 

 wooden-headed gossiping bore, who cannot start an 

 idea, and oils the machinery inside his skull with 

 the twopenny-halfpenny daily currency. Simpson 

 spoke a great deal of the army, quoted the various 

 changes mentioned in that day's Gazette with a vigour 



