Mr McQueen. "And since we're going at all, let it
be soon. We'll go with Grannie and Michael."

"In two weeks' time?" cried Mrs McQueen.

"We will so," said Mr McQueen. "I've no debts behind me, and we can
sell the cows and hens, and take with us whatever we need from the
house. Michael Malone will lend me the money and find me a job when we
get there. The likes of this chance will never befall us again, and
faith, we'll take it."

"Did he tell you so?" asked Mrs McQueen.

"He did, indeed."

"Well, then, I've no other word to say, and if it must be done, the
sooner the better," said Mrs McQueen.

That night she lay awake a long time. She was planning just what they
should take with them to their new home, and trying to think what the
new home would be like.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

MR MCQUEEN PAYS THE RENT.

The next morning Mr McQueen went to Mr Conroy and paid the rent. Then
he said, "This is the last rent I'll be paying you, Mr Conroy!"

Mr Conroy was surprised. "What do you mean by that?" he said.

"I mean that I'm going to leave old Ireland," said Mr McQueen.

"Well, now!" cried Mr Conroy. "To think of a sensible man like
yourself leaving a good farm to go off, dear knows where! And you not
knowing what you'll do when you get there as like as any way! I thought
you had better sense, McQueen."

"It's because of my better sense that I'm going," said Mr McQueen.
"Faith, do you think I'd be showing the judgment of an old goat to stay
where every penny I can get out of the land I have to pay back in rent?
I'm going to America where there'll be a chance for myself."

"I thought Michael Malone would be sowing the seeds of discontent in
this parish, with his silk hats and his grand talk," said Mr Conroy
angrily, "but I didn't think you were the fish to be caught with fine
words!"

"If the seeds of discontent have been sown in this parish, Terence
Conroy," said Mr McQueen, "'tis you and the likes of you that have
ploughed and harrowed the ground ready for them! Do you think we're
wishful to be leaving our old homes and all our friends? But 'tis you
that makes it too hard entirely for people to stay. And I can tell you
that if you keep on with others as you have with me, raising the rent
when any work is done to improve the farm, you'll be left in time with
no tenants at all. And then where will you be yourself, Terence
Conroy?"

Mr Conroy's face was red with anger, but he said, "While I'm