n't be axing me
to go there; if ye'd like her to be on the roads, and me in Carrick
Gaol, why that's the way, I take it."

"Stick to that, Denis, and you'll be the better of it. Well, I'll be
down with you to-morrow evening; but mind now, two thirties is the
very least; and you should make it more, if you want any luck in your
marriage."

"I'll spake to Pat, Father John; you know that's his business; but
your riverence, Father John, you'll not be saying anything up there
before the boys and girls about you know--Betsy Cane, you know."

"Oh! the cow!--only, you see, if you don't come down with the money
as you should, it might be an excuse for your poverty. But, Denis,
I'll take care; and if any one should say anything about the price of
cows or the like, I'll tell them all it isn't Betsy Cane's cow, who
wouldn't have the calf, though she was engaged."

Denis McGovery now hurried off. Father John called for Judy to
take away the cold tea, and prepared to sally forth to some of his
numerous parochial duties.

But Father McGrath was doomed to still further interruptions.
He had not walked above a mile on his road,--he was going by
Ballycloran,--when, coming down the avenue, he saw Pat Brady with his
master, Mr. Thady, and of course he didn't pass without waiting to
speak to them.

"Well, Thady," and "Well, Father John," as they shook hands; and,
"Well, Pat Brady," and "Well, yer riverence," as the latter made a
motion with his hand towards his hat, was the first salutation.

It will be remembered that Thady and the other had just been talking
over affairs in the rent-office, and Thady did not seem as though he
were exactly in a good humour.

"So, Pat, your sister is getting married to Denis McGovery. I'll tell
you what--she might do a deal worse."

"She might do what she plased for me, Father John. But, faix, I was
tired enough of her myself; so, you see, Denis is welcome to his
bargain."

"What! are you going to bring a wife of your own home then?"

"Devil a wife, then, axing your riverence's pardon. What'd I be doing
with a wife?"

"Who'll keep the house over you now, Pat, your sister's as good as
gone?"

"I won't be axing a woman to keep the house over me; so Mary's
welcome to go; or, she wor welcome to stay, too, for me. I didn't ax
her to have him, and, by the 'postles, when Denis is tired of his
bargain, he'll be recollecting I wasn't axing him to have her."

"Well, Thady, I suppose you and Feemy