Simpson's snipe 67 



Whilst my guest was engaged in washing his 

 hands before luncheon, I held a conference with 

 Billy Doyle with reference to the shooting, our line 

 of country, and the tactics necessary to be pursued. 



" Me opinion is that he is a gommoch. He doesn't 

 know much. Av he cum down wud an old "un-case 

 that was in the wars, I'd be peckened ; but wud sich 

 a ginteel tool, ye needn't fret. We'll give him a 

 walk, anyhow. He'll get a bellyful that will heart 

 scald him." 



"But the honour of the country is at stake, 

 Billy. I asked Mr Simpson to shoot, promising him 

 good sport, and surely you are not going to let him 

 return to Dublin to give us a bad name." 



This appeal to Billy's feelings was well timed. 

 He knew every fence and every nest in the barony, 

 and it was with a view to putting things into a proper 

 training that I thus appealed to his better feelings. 



Billy scratched his head. 



" Begorra, he must have a bird if they're in it ; but 

 they're desperate wild, and take no ind of decoyin'." 



Simpson's politeness to my wife was unbounded. 

 He professed himself charmed to have the honour 

 of making her acquaintance, took her in to luncheon 

 with as much tender care as though she had been a 

 cracked bit of very precious china ware ; invited 

 her to partake of everything on the table, shoving 



