“If for it’s smoky, ’tis your own fault. You never will do a thing to the chimneys--often as you are asked.”
“Yes, I see the likeness. And there was always something queer and independent about Mary, that I could never quite make out; she was never shy, or embarrassed.”
“It’s a pity you snuffed out that affair with Ulick, or she might be your daughter-in-law this day.”
“Of course she is impossible-a mere ignorant peasant. What an awful situation for the poor Mulgraves!”
“Oh, she’s a bright enough girl. I daresay she can write, and speak, as well as any--and hold her own too.”
“Tom Whelan; he had it from Mrs. Hogan at the ‘Arms’; the lawyer and his sister are there, and his lordship too.”
“Really! Oh, then, you must leave a card on him to-morrow.”
“You and your card-leaving, mother! Maybe you will go and leave one on Mary.”
“Of course; as soon as she is established in her new position I shall certainly call; it will be my duty to do so, considering that she was reared here, and lived on our land for twenty-one years.”
“And has kept you going in your trade of eggs and chickens. This is no doubt one of her chickens I’m eating this minute.”
“And I don’t. In the first place, she wouldn’t look at me; she is accustomed to refusing; and in the second, she’s too much coxy and fiery. I tried to kiss her once, and she left the print of her five fingers on my face.”
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Barky.”
“Why? I’d kiss any girl that would let me. Now if I’d been Ulick, it would have been _all right_”.
“No, mammy. Use your common sense. She’s as much above him now, as he was above her before; it’s like a see-saw. Now I’m up, now you are down.”
“Faith! you don’t think so when he is here; he is not nearly good enough for you. You have always a pick out of him!”
“Such as an earl’s only daughter, with, say, ten thousand a year--oh, stop coddin, now!”
“Barky, where _do_ you get hold of such horrible expressions?”
“Anyhow, Ulick is in India,” he continued. “Shall I telegraph out to him, ‘Come home at once--Mary Foley is a peeress’?”
“No, she is not a peeress--and you’re an unmannerly boor!” As she spoke, Mrs. Doran got up and pushed back her chair; and as she walked to the door, Barky gave a loud, unfilial laugh,--