hat I know when and where to be dacent with any mother's son of Parrah
More's faction; and that I'll be afther whispering to them some of these
fine mornings, plase goodness."

"Well, well, Phaddhy, don't put yourself in a passion about it,
particularly so soon after having been at confession--it's not right--I
told them myself, that we'd have a leg of mutton and a bottle of wine
at all events for it was what they had; but that's not worth talking
about--when were you with the priest before Phaddhy?"

"If I wasn't able, it would be another thing, but as long as I'm able,
I'll let them know that I've the spirit"--said Phaddhy, smarting under
the implication of niggardliness--"when was I at confession before,
Father Philemy? Why, then, dear forgive me, not these five years;--and
I'd surely be the first of the family that would show a mane spirit, or
a want of hospitality."

"A leg of mutton is a good dish, and a bottle of wine is fit for the
first man in the land!" observed his Reverence; "five years!--why, is
it possible you stayed away so long, Phaddhy! how could you expect to
prosper with five years' burden of sin upon your conscience--what would
it cost you--?"

"Indeed, myselfs no judge, your Reverence, as to that; but, cost what it
will, I'll get both."

"I say, Phaddhy, what trouble would it cost you to come to your duty
twice a year at the very least; and, indeed, I would advise you to
become a monthly communicant. Parrah More was speaking of it as to
himself, and you ought to go--"

"And I will go and bring Parrah More here to his dinner, this very day,
if it was only to let him see with his own eyes--"

"You ought to go once a month, if it was only to set an example to
your children, and to show the neighbors how a man of substance and
respectability, and the head of a family, ought to carry himself."

"Where is the best wine got, your Reverence?"

"Alick M'Loughlin, my nephew, I believe, keeps the best wine and spirits
in Ballyslantha.--You ought also, Phaddy, to get a scapular, and become
a scapularian; I wish your brother had thought of that, and he wouldn't
have died in so hardened a state, nor neglected to make a provision for
the benefit of his soul, as he did."

"Lave the rest to me, yer Reverence, I'll get it; Mr. M'Loughlin will
give me the right sort, if he has it betune him and death."

"M'Laughlin! what are you talking about?"

"Why, what is your Reverence talking about?"

"The scapul