to the house, "look at them all crowdin' to the door--and here's Shibby,
too, and Bryan himself--an' see my mother ready to lep out of herself
wid pure joy--the Lord be praised that you're safe back!"

At this moment his second daughter ran to him, and a repetition of
welcome similar to that which he received from Dora took place. His son
Bryan grasped his hand, and said, whilst a tear stood even in his eye,
that he was glad to see him safe home. The old man, in return, grasped
his hand with an expression of deep feeling, and after having inquired
if they had been all well in his absence, he proceeded with them to the
house. Here the scene was still more interesting. Mrs. M'Mahon stood
smiling at the door, but as he came near, she was obliged once or twice
to wipe away the tears with the corner of her handkerchief. We have
often observed how much fervid piety is mingled with the affections of
the Irish people when in a state of excitement; and this meeting between
the old man and his wife presented an additional proof of it.

"Blessed be God!" exclaimed his wife, tenderly embracing* him, "blessed
be God, Tom darlin', that you're safe back to us! An' how are you,
avourueen? an' wor you well ever since? an' there was nothin--musha, go
out o' this, Ranger, you thief--oh, God forgive me! what am I sayin'?
sure the poor dog is as glad as the best of us--arrah, thin, look at the
affectionate crathur, a'most beside himself! Dora, avillish, give him
the could stirabout that's in the skillet, jist for his affection, the
crathur. Here, Ranger--Ranger, I say--oh no, sorra one's in the house
now but yourself, Tom. Well, an' there was nothing wrong wid you?"

"Nothin', Nancy, thanks be to the Almighty--down, poor fellow--there
now, Ranger--och, behave, you foolish dog--musha, see this!"