n, whilst he rebukes them for the
scandal they gave to the church, after which they kneel
down. In general it is looked upon more in fun than
punishment. Sometimes, however, the wealthier class
compromise this matter with the priest, as described above.

"'Well, well, your Reverence,' says my uncle, winking at her father, 'if
that's the case, it can't be helped, any how--they must only stand, as
many a dacent father and mother's child has done before them, and will
again, plase God--your Reverence is right in doing your duty.'

"'True for you, Brian,' says his Reverence, 'and yet, God knows, there's
no man in the parish would be sorrier to see such a dacent, comely young
couple put upon a level with all the scrubs of the parish; and I know,
Jemmy Finigan, it would go hard with your young, bashful daughter to get
through with it, having the eyes of the whole congregation staring on
her.'

"'Why, then, your Reverence, as to that,' says my uncle, who was just as
stiff as the other was stout, 'the bashfulest of them will do more nor
that to get a husband.'

"'But you tell me,' says the priest, 'that the wedding-day is fixed
upon; how will you manage there?'

"'Why, put it off for three Sundays longer, to be sure,' says the uncle.

"'But you forget this, Brian,' says the priest, 'that good luck or
prosperity never attends the putting off of a wedding.'

"Now here, you see, is where the priest had them; for they knew that as
well as his Reverence himself--so they were in a puzzle again.

"'It's a disagreeable business,' says the priest, 'but the truth is, I
could get them off with the bishop, only for one thing--I owe him five
guineas of altar-money, and I am so far back in dues that I'm not able
to pay him. If I could inclose this to him in a letter, I would get them
off at once, although it would be bringing myself into trouble with the
parish afterwards; but, at all events,' says he, 'I wouldn't make every
one of you both--so, to prove that I wish to sarve you, I'll sell the
best cow in my byre, and pay him myself, rather than their wedding
day should be put off, poor things, or themselves brought to any bad
luck--the Lord keep them from it!'

"While he was speaking, he stamped his foot two or three times on the
flure, and the housekeeper came in.--'Katty,' says he, 'bring us in
a bottle of whiskey; at all events, I can't let you away,' says he,
'without tasting something, and drinking luck to