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350                CHARLES  STEWART PARNELL             [1891
to a public-house, where Parnell was seated in a room. He said: "I sent for you, as I thought you might like to have a talk with me before the meeting." The fact was he had heard that they were likely to make it hot for me, and resolved to take me under his wing/
' I went/ says Mr. Eussell, ' with Parnell to Creggs. He said, coming along in the train: "I am very ill. Dr. Kenny told me that I ought not to come, but I have promised these people to come, and I will keep my word ! " We stopped at the same hotel. I remember one incident illustrating his superstition. He thought it unlucky to pass anyone on the stairs. I was descending the stairs as he was coming up, with a candlestick in his hand, going to bed. He had got up five or six steps when he saw me. He immediately went back, and remained at the bottom till I came down, and then wished me good-night. He spoke next day. It was raining, and someone raised an umbrella over his uncovered head, but he had it put down immediately. His speech was very laboured at the beginning—so much so that I took down the first part of it in long hand. Afterwards he brightened up and was better.,, I travelled back to Dublin with him next day at his request. He was very ill and suffered much pain, but he talked all the way and would not let me sleep. He said: " You can take a Turkish bath when you arrive in Dublin, and that will make you all right/' "We parted at Broadstone terminus, and I never saw him again.'
On arriving in Dublin, Parnell went to the house of his friend Dr. Kenny. . There he remained for three clays—September 28, 29, and 30—detained by business relating to the establishment of the new paper. He looked ill and fatigued, ate little, and sufferedH him,   W«         wtsiittiiilitlriit of iiliitnatt* met-tm. My daughtor, of \vlitiiii liti vt*ry ftuul, WUH \\iih tin. Wo drove in aative. 1 could givci you cither          of the «ame kind.    Mostntnl i "Sing it* it.*1 Of nmrxtt ! rtiltwett* but hit kept {Hiking tit** it$ ttw I'Uw mil this litn**, Nnying: '* Hing It/1 iittcl n nuntht>r c»f ffilltiw* rut ttin tihttforin,             Iw t«»nlt»n it, jttimui him. lUit 1 hcltl