Paddy had good work and fair wages, and might have been comfortably
off, but, alas, the "Blue Dragon" was not the only evil beast in
Venley, and much of Paddy's money went to the till of the "Brown Bear"
at the corner. Not that he drank deeply himself, but he loved the
warmth and company, and was too generous to others in the matter of
treating. There was always a chorus of welcome for Paddy when he
entered the bar.
But to-night he was at home, busily engaged in putting a clumsy patch
on his blue "slop" jacket, and he answered Dick's timid knock with a
boisterous welcome.
"And have ye railly left the wretches entirely and going off to
Ironboro' to seek your fortin? Shure, and its could weather for the
job. And of course ye want Pat. But ye can't have him to-night. Come
and have a bite and a sup and share me cot, and ye can be off in the
mornin' before anybody's astir, if ye like. Down then, me beauty;
shure and ye needn't' be so glad at the prospect of leaving Paddy!"
For Pat was wagging his short tail and barking and jumping in a storm
of delight, while Dick hugged him with the blissful thought that now he
would have him for always.
"You're so good to me," he cried gratefully, "but I'm afraid they'll
find me if I wait till morning.
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