"Yes, I admit that," said her sister; "but at any rate, they very often
go together, I believe."

She then related the dialogue that took place, at which her sister, who
was equally remarkable for courage, only laughed.

"The fellow after all is only a fool," she observed. "If he were
anything else, or if he had any serious intention of carrying such
threats into effect, he most assuredly would not give expression to
them, or put you on your guard against them. No, he is only a fool and
not worth thinking about: let him go."

They then proceeded to the cabin of poor Widow Cleary, to whom they
administered the medicine with their own hands, and to whose children
they brought their mother's orders to attend the house, that they
might be relieved with that comfortable food which their destitute
circumstances so much required.

On their return home, the relation of the incident which we have just
narrated very much amused the family, with the exception of M'Carthy,
who expressed himself not quite at ease after having heard English's
threats. "There is an extraordinary mystery about that man," he
observed; "no one knows or can tell who he is; you can call him a fool,
too, but take my word that there never hung mystery about a fool yet; I
fear he will be found to be something much worse than a fool."

"Nonsense," replied the proctor. "The fellow is only ridiculous and
contemptible; he and his clipped English are not worth thinking of--let
him go to the deuce."