The conversation between
O'Flarety and the maid in the hallway was not reassuring. Jimmy
decided to take a chance with the Italian mother, and as fast as
he could, he streaked it toward the opposite door. The shrieks
and denunciations that he met from this direction were more
disconcerting than those of the Irish father. For an instant he
stood in the centre of the room, wavering as to which side to
surrender himself.
The thunderous tones of the enraged father drew nearer; he threw
himself on the floor and attempted to roll under the bed; the
space between the railing and the floor was far too narrow. Why
had he disregarded Aggie's advice as to diet? The knob of the
door handle was turning--he vaulted into the bed and drew the
covers over his head just as O'Flarety, trembling with
excitement, and pursued by Maggie, burst into the room.
"Lave go of me," cried O'Flarety to Maggie, who clung to his arm
in a vain effort to soothe him, and flinging her off, he made
straight for the bed.
"Ah," he cried, gazing with dilated nostrils at the trembling
object beneath the covers, "there you are, mum," and he shook his
fist above what he believed to be the cowardly Mrs. Hardy. "
'Tis well ye may cover up your head," said he, "for shame on yez!
Me wife may take in washing, but when I comes home at night I
wants me kids, and I'll be after havin' 'em too.
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