Page:Jepson--Pollyooly.djvu/108

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90
POLLYOOLY

haste to obey the summons because Mr. Montague Fitzgerald added much, by his tips, to the salary which he received for plaguing his fellow creatures by the faithful discharge of the function of bailiff.

He found the money-lender grossly breakfasting on liver and bacon horribly fried in the same pan; and the money-lender greeted him with a black scowl, for he could not brook the law's delay when he was on the right side of it.

"Why hasn't the writ been served on that fellow Ruffin, Goole?" he said sharply. "Are you going to take a month or two about it? I got you appointed to the job, though it's off your usual beat, because I thought I could rely on you to be smart about it."

"There's no gettin' at 'im to serve it," said the dogged one doggedly.

"No getting at him? Nonsense! A careless young ass like that!" cried Mr. Montague Fitzgerald contemptuously.

The long pent-up emotion of the faithful Goole burst forth in an eloquently passionate, but husky, denunciation of the Honorable John Ruffin, Pollyooly, and Mr. Gedge-Tomkins. In hoarse but