bones, on each side, leaving the front of the petticoat exposed. This
posterior part of the gown would, if left to fall to its full length,
have formed a train behind them of at least two feet in length. It
was pinned up, however, to a convenient length, and was not at all an
ungraceful garment, if we except the sleeves, which went no farther than
the elbows--a fashion in dress which is always unbecoming, especially
when the arms are thin. The hair of the elder woman was doubled back in
front, from about the middle of the forehead, and the rest of the
head was covered by a _dowd cap_, the most primitive of all female
headdresses, being a plain shell, or skull-cap, as it were, for the
head, pointed behind, and without any fringe or border whatsoever.
This turning up of the hair was peculiar only to married life, of which
condition it was universally a badge. The young females wore theirs
fastened behind by a skewer; but on this occasion one of them, the
youngest, allowed it to fall in natural ringlets about her cheeks and
shoulders.

"God save all here," said Barney, as he entered the house.

"God save you kindly, Barney," was the instant reply from all.

"Ah, Mrs. Davoren," he proceeded, "ever the same; by this and by that,
if there's a woman living ignorant of one thing, and you are that
woman."

"Sorrow off you, Barney! well, what is it?"

"Idleness, achora. Now, let me see if you have e'er a finger at all to
show; for upon my honorable word they ought to be worn to the stumps
long ago. Well, and how are you all? But sure I needn't ax. Faith,