that we all forget the time when he went wid his basket undher his arm,
wid his half-a-crown's worth of beggarly hardware in it. He begun it as
a brat of a boy, an' was called nothin' then but _Mahon na gair_ (that
is 'Mat of the-grin'); but, by-and-by, when he came to have a pack over
the shoulder, and to carry a yard wan' he began to turn Bodagh on our
hands. Felix, it's himself that soon thought to set up for the style an'
state."

"At any rate," said the friendly voice aforesaid, "no one can deny but
he's a good employer--if he'd give better wages."

"A good employer!" said Hourigan; "we all know he must get his work
done--small thanks to him for that, an' a small price he-pays for it."

"We all know the ould proverb," said another individual; "set a beggar
on horseback, an' he'll ride to the devil. Whist! here they come."

As the last person concluded, Purcel and the female portion of his
family drew up under the shadow of the tree already alluded to, which
here overhung the road, so that he came right in contact with the crowd.

"Ah, boys," said he, with his characteristic good-humor, "how are you
all? Darby Hourigan, how are your family? Isn't this glorious weather,
boys?"

"Blessed weather, sir," replied Hourigan, who became in some degree
spokesman. "I hope your honor an' the mistress, sir, an' the young
ladies is all well."

"My honor, as you are pleased to call me, was never better in my life;