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‘Must everything be interesting to you two only because of medical associations?’ Susan asked.
‘Not necessarily,’ Clifford replied. ‘But in this case the medical association is here and it’s interesting. It goes back to the 1730s in fact, when a Dr Prince was medical adviser to most of the nobility and gentry of the county. His fame as a physician spread all over Ireland. He was a great believer in the curative powers of goats’ whey.’
‘Goats’ whey?’ Susan repeated.
‘Yes; the watery part of goats’ milk. It may not sound very appetising or salubrious, but it seems that Dr Prince prescribed it with marvellous success for all manner of ailments.’
‘I doubt if we could get away with that today,’ John remarked.
‘Every age has its health fads,’ Clifford pointed out. ‘The taking of goats’ whey became as fashionable as the drinking of spa water was to become from 1760 onwards. People flocked to Carraghlin to partake of this new panacea. They came not only from all parts of Ireland but from England and France where stories were told of this “wondrous cure” on the coast of Drumard.’
‘That’s incredible,’ said John. ‘Imagine Carraghlin as a fashionable spa for the Jane-Austen-type upper crust.’ He pushed his chair back, slapped his knees with both open hands, and glanced around the table. ‘Well, I don’t know about you lot, but I’m ready for another drink. And I don’t mean goats’ whey. Can I get the same again for everyone?’
John’s departure for the bar revealed to Clifford Hamilton two attractive young women at a small-table in a corner near the door.
‘That’s a surprise,’ Clifford said. He was actually talking to himself, but the others overheard him.
‘What’s a surprise, dear?’ Fiona turned to look in the same direction in which her husband was so obviously staring.
‘That’s Nora Dooley over there.’
Susan and Ian also turned to look, though neither of them knew who Nora Dooley was.
‘One of those two girls?’ Susan asked.
‘Yes, the one with the black hair and the white dress.’
‘She’s pretty,’ said Ian. ‘But why the surprise?’
‘Oh no reason really,’ Clifford replied casually. ‘I just wouldn’t have expected to find her here, that’s all.’
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