A Difference of Opinion In the Celtic Cocktail Bar I
asked for 1.14:: whiskies. 'Yes,' said the barmaid, 1°°1‘17t strangely at the Highlandman. 'Yes, but I °print know about him.' She came back in a 111°171-4.,e with the manager, whose face went red at 0 sight of the Highlandman. 'Is this a i friend s 1113 yours?' he asked me. 'Why do you think he n here?' I said. 'Please tell the young w°an to bring the drinks I ordered for this gentleri.,1-a and myself."Gentiemanl' said the managerf rage. 'Gentleman!' He turned to the Highlarj,,s man, who was sitting quietly, hands on kne' `.0 Did I not tell you that if ever you set foot„19' , this hotel again I'd turn the police on Yau-h The Highlandman laughed. 'Get away wild you,' he said. 'You must have your little joke,. alle that is no mistake.' The manager looked as if 11.s might blow up at any moment and ruin 111 Celtic Cocktail Bar, so, although I was baffled bYt. this abuse, I suggested to the Highlandnian tha, there was no-point' in persisting. 'I've warneo You,' said the manager: 'Eve warned you.' The 1-fighlandman laughed in his face, with a terrible Cold civility. 'Come along.' said 1—for it was necessary to do or say something. 'Where are you going? ''I've promised to meet my friends at a dance in the Clachan Hall up on the hill.' Right,' said 1, 'Ell see you as far as that.' On the way I tried without avail to find out something about the cause of the Highlandman's fierce reception at the Pibroch. 'Ach, it's nothing at all, at all,' he Said; 'just a difference of opinion.' Two or three times on the way he pulled a flat half-bottle of Whisky from his pocket, offered me a swig and took a good long one himself. This made me Wonder a little. In my mind's eye I could see this gentle Gaelic giant taking the Celtic Cocktail Bar to bits—small bits.
Previous page
