The son of a peasant Author:Edward McNulty Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III THE EVIL EYE TWO hours later Clarence Maguire returned. Mr. ' Flanagan, who was attending customers in the snuggery, saw him, but merely stared... more » after him as he limped-through the shop. Mr. Flanagan listened to the halting step ; then, resting one hand on the counter, meditatively scratched his head. " I think," he observed, hesitatingly, " Margit, I'll go upstairs an' see what's wrong with Misther Clarence." Mrs. Flanagan stood on a chair fixing a string of brogues to a hook in the ceiling. " You can go where you like," she returned, " an' do what you like. It's all the same to me !" Stroking down his shirt-sleeves Mr. Flanagan walked to the door to look up and down the street. The town was subsiding to its normal state. A few scattered pigs were passing, followed by a small mob of sheep crushing against each other as the dogs snapped at their ears. On the opposite side Constable Kerrigan slowly paced, gazing under bent brows towards the shop. Mr. Flanagan turned to put his head in at the snuggery door to inquire if the customers wanted anything. He then stood irresolutely staring at the shop floor. After some cogitation he walked to the back out through thesmall door leading into the hall. Half-way on the stairs he paused, raising his face towards Clarence's garret. The door was closed, but he heard the schoolmaster limping. Mr. Flanagan went on. Before the door he coughed loudly, then knocked softly with his knuckles. There was no response. Clarence still limped. Mr. Flanagan entering, glanced thoughtfully at his friend. " Have you had any dinner, Misther Clarence ? " Sitting down, Clarence, letting his hands close nervously on his knees, shook his head. Mr. Flanagan looked vaguely about. "That's bad," he observed. "But now, sur, if I'm ...« less