I always liked Doyle."
"Doyle," said the Major sadly, "is suffering like everybody else."
"New priest?"
"No. Father Morony's alive still."
"They're not piling on the rates under the pretence of getting a water
supply, or running schemes of technical education, or giving
scholarships in the new university, are they? Doyle would have more
sense than to allow them to break out into any reckless waste of public
money."
"No."
"Then what's the matter with you? I've noticed that you're looking
pretty glum ever since I arrived. Let's have the trouble, whatever it
is. I have a fortnight before me, and I need scarcely say, Major, that
if I can set things right in the place, I don't mind sacrificing my
holiday in the least. I'm quite prepared to turn to and straighten out
any tangle that may have arisen since I left."
"I'm sure you'd do your best, J. J."--the Major dropped naturally into
his old way of addressing his friend by his initials--"but I don't
think you can help us this time."
Major Kent sighed heavily and struck a match. His pipe had gone out.
"I certainly can't," said Meldon, "if you won't tell me what it is that
troubles you.
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