Kevin shouted with laughter at the expression on his daughter’s face. His little joke had come off very nicely.“Cromwell!” said Clancy, and her voice was outraged. She stared at him with utter loathing, then turned on her father. “You can laugh, Kilmallin,” she cried, “but it’s not a bit funny. I believe you did it on purpose. I believe you picked him just because of his name.”Kevin was still laughing.“Ah, stop your blather, Clancy, do you take me for a fool?” he said. “Come on now, and behave yourself. The joke’s over.”“My name seems to have unfortunate associations,” Mark murmured, watching them both with amusement.“It’s not a good name to bear in Ireland,” Clancy told him coldly.His mouth twitched again at the corners.“Even now?” he asked mildly.She did not trouble to answer him and Kevin said tolerantly:“The poor child doesn’t care for the English, Mr. Cromwell. She has no education, as you can see for yourself. You’ll find the boy more amenable, won’t he, Brian?”“I will not,”
