“Fifteen years ago, when he came to America—­and the Lord only knows how he got the passage-money—­he brought his widowed mother with him here, and has supported, and is still supporting her.  Besides,” went on the still secretly smiling Major, “the fellow has actually found time, through all his adversities, to pick up quite a smattering of education, here and there—­”

“Poor fellow!” I broke in, sympathizingly, “what a pity it is that he couldn’t have had such advantages earlier in life,” and as I recalled the broad brogue of the fellow, together with his careless dress, recognizing beneath it all the native talent and brilliancy of a mind of most uncommon worth, I could not restrain a deep sigh of compassion and regret.

The Major was leaning forward in the gathering dusk, and evidently studying my own face, the expression of which, at that moment, was very grave and solemn, I am sure.  He suddenly threw himself backward in his chair, in an uncontrollable burst of laughter.  “Oh, I just can’t keep it up any longer,” he exclaimed.

“Keep what up?” I queried, in a perfect maze of bewilderment and surprise.  “Keep what up?” I repeated.

“Why, all this twaddle, farce, travesty and by-play regarding Tommy!  You know I warned you, over and over, and you mustn’t blame me for the deception.  I never thought you’d take it so in earnest!” and here the jovial Major again went into convulsions of laughter.

“But I don’t understand a word of it all,” I cried, half frenzied with the gnarl and tangle of the whole affair.  “What ’twaddle, farce and by-play,’ is it anyhow?” And in my vexation, I found myself on my feet and striding nervously up and down the paved walk that joined the street with the piazza, pausing at last and confronting the Major almost petulantly.  “Please explain,” I said, controlling my vexation with an effort.

The Major arose.  “Your striding up and down there reminds me that a little stroll on the street might do us both good,” he said.  “Will you wait until I get a coat and hat?”

He rejoined me a moment later, and we passed through the open gate; and saying, “Let’s go down this way,” he took my arm and turned into a street, where, cooling as the dusk was, the thick maples lining the walk, seemed to throw a special shade of tranquility upon us.

“What I meant was”—­began the Major, in low, serious voice,—­“What I meant was—­simply this:  Our friend Tommy, though the truest Irishman in the world, is a man quite the opposite everyway of the character he has appeared to you.  All that rich brogue of his is assumed.  Though he’s poor, as I told you, when he came here, his native quickness, and his marvelous resources, tact, judgment, business qualities—­all have helped him to the equivalent of a liberal education.  His love of the humorous and the ridiculous is unbounded; but he has serious moments, as well, and at such times is as dignified and refined in speech and manner as any man you’d find in a thousand.  He is a good speaker, can stir a political convention to fomentation when he gets fired up; and can write an article for the press that goes spang to the spot.  He gets into a great many personal encounters of a rather undignified character; but they are almost invariably bred of his innate interest in the ‘under dog,’ and the fire and tow of his impetuous nature.”