O'Dowd.
It being quite agreeable, the genial Irishman proposed that his
friend, Mr. Barnes,--(here he bestowed an almost imperceptible wink
upon the New Yorker),--should join the party. He could vouch for the
intelligence and discretion of the gentleman.
Barnes, concealing his surprise, expressed himself as happy to be of
any service. He glanced at Putnam Jones as he made the statement. It
was at once borne in upon him that the landlord's attitude toward him
had undergone a marked change in the last few minutes. The furtive,
distrustful look was missing from his eyes and in its place was a
friendly, approving twinkle.
O'Dowd stayed to dinner. (Dinner was served in the middle of the day
at Hart's Tavern.) He made a great impression upon Lyndon Rushcroft,
who, with his daughter, joined the two men. Indeed, the palavering
Irishman extended himself in the effort to make himself agreeable. He
was vastly interested in the stage, he declared. As a matter of fact,
he had been told a thousand times that he ought to go on the stage. He
had decided talent....
"If you change your mind," said Mr. Rushcroft, "and conclude to try a
whirl at it, just let me know. I can find a place for you in my
company at any time.
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