The Man in Possession — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 21 after a journey. Such a journey too! Ugh,” and he shivered at the recollection. ‘‘ Devil a soul on board that wasn’t ill, barring myself.” He poured out a cup of coffee as he spoke, add- ing sugar and frothing up the boiling milk with an epicurean delight in every detail. ‘¢ Well, Biddy—and I hope you and Miss Kate have taken care of yourselves,” he went on, as he sipped the fragrant beverage contentedly. ‘‘ Let me see— one, two, nearly three months, isn’t it, I’ve been away — three months. How time flies among one’s old friends and associates! It’s been very enjoyable, Kate, my dear—very. Every one so delighted to‘see me back in the old country again.” ~ ‘*No doubt,” said Kate somewhat gloomily, ‘‘only your visit doesn’t seem to have had any results beyond that mutual delight. You told me you were going over strictly on business, and that you would return able to discharge all our debts.” ‘‘Shure, thin, I hope you'll begin by discharging that haythen blayguard in the kitchen,” exclaimed Biddy. ‘‘ It’s meself that'll be glad to see the back o’ him, I can tell ye, sir.” O’Brien looked somewhat rueful at this reminder of his uninvited guest. ‘‘You must put up with him for a day or two, Biddy,” he said soothingly. ‘‘I—I really forget what sort of beings bailiffs are, but I’ve always heard they're very inoffensive. Indeed, sometimes they’ve become quite useful adjuncts to a household, and waited at table fora dinner party, cleaned boots and windows, and one—-ahem !—friend of mine told me COMicloe (Sri C(O)