As she talked her voice rippled and broke into
suppressed laughter.
"It was all rather dull, _n'est-ce-pas_?" said Emile, who felt more
amusement than he had any intention of showing. "You'll find the Cause
more exciting."
Before any practical steps were taken to make her a member of the band
it was necessary to stimulate her enthusiasm, her imagination. He knew
that for all her outward calmness she had no lack of fire. The coldest
countries sometimes produced the most raging volcanoes.
"It's the only thing you care about--isn't it--the Cause?" she said.
"Tell me more about it. As I'm going in for it I ought to understand.
Of course I like anything that's 'agin the Government.' All the Irish
have always been rebels and patriots. We've helped your country too."
Emile did not require a second invitation to induce him to expound his
views. "I suppose you think we throw bombs about by way of a little
distraction?" he asked sarcastically. "What have we suffered before we
took to throwing bombs? Before I came here I saw men and women, old
and young together, shot down in the streets of St.
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