Explanations then ensued. They were newly arrived Irish immigrants—that was patent enough; had just started this hotel, and I was the first customer! We became bosom friends on the spot. They all, including the dog, sat down and regaled me with their whole history and impressions of Queensland. Would I had a pen that could record it! Then I gave them a long lecture, pointing out that they must look well after their interests; they were among no simple, guileless people by any means. They would be cheated right and left, and done out of everything if they were not smart and careful. They thought it all bate Bannagher, and Bannagher bate the devil. Then we inspected the whole establishment, discussing matters, and I advising on subjects I knew nothing about, and they were genuinely put out I had to go. The result of all this was that they were quite hurt that I should want to pay.
“Sure ’twas the grand luck I was bringing them,”—their first customer—“a rale gintleman and a friend, and was it the dirthy money they would be afther taking from me at all! It was good luck that was coming to them,” they were sure. Another lecture from me—this time with the dog and one sticky child on my lap—and then I insisted on settling the bill according to what I thought right and proper under the circumstances, and drank with them to the success of their enterprise. Till I could see them no longer, they were standing at the door waving adieux and screaming Irish blessings and wishes for good luck after me. Poor unsophisticated folk, they would soon learn what sort of people they had to deal with, and would have to look sharply after their affairs. I hope their first customer did bring them good luck.
At seven in the evening (26th August) I left
