“I envy you a pursuit whose reward is in the practice rather than in the promise,” said Nelligan, thoughtfully. “Men like myself labor that they may reach some far-away land of rewards and successes, and bear the present that they may enjoy the future.” [Illustration: 114] “Ay, but it will repay you well, by all accounts,” said Crow. “Miss Mary told us last night how you had beat every one out of the field, and had n't left a single prize behind you.” “Who said this?” cried Joe, eagerly. “Miss Mary,--Miss Martin. She said it was a credit to us all of the west, here, that there was one, at least, from Galway, who could do something besides horse-racing and cock-fighting--” “So she did,” said Scanlan, interrupting, with some confusion. “She said somebody had told her of young Nelligan. She called you 'Young Nelligan.'” “No, no; it was to myself she said it, and the words were, 'Mr. Joseph Nelligan;' and then, when her uncle said, 'Why don't we know him? '--” “My dear Simmy, you make a most horrible confusion when you attempt a story,--out of canvas. Mind, I said out of canvas; for I confess that in your grand 'Historical' the whole incident is admirably detailed. I 've just said to my friend here, that he has a great pleasure before him in seeing that picture.” “If you 'll do me the honor to look at it,” said Crow, bowing courteously, “when you come to dinner to-day.” “Attend to _me_, Joe,” said Scanlan, passing an arm within Nelligan's, and leading him away to another part of the room; “that fellow is little better than an idiot. But I was just going to tell you what Martin said. 'You are intimate with young Nelligan,' said he; 'you know him well, and you could possibly do without awkwardness what with more formality might be difficult. Don't you think, then, that he would possibly waive ceremony--'” “I must be off,” broke in Crow, hastily. “I have a sitting at twelve o'clock, so I hope we shall see you at seven, Mr. Nelligan; your note said seven, sharp.” And without waiting for more, he seized his hat and hurried down the stairs. “A downright fool!” said Scanlan, angrily. “Mr. Martin said he 'd write to you, if--if--if, in fact, you stood upon that punctilio; but that he'd be all the better pleased if you 'd just accept acquaintance as freely as he offered it, and come and dine there to-day, like a friend.” “Is n't there, or has there not been, some difference between him and my father?” asked Joe.