"Look at him," said Traynor, "comin' in out of the garden; how much
afeard he is! keepin' the whiskey in a phatie ridge--an' I'd kiss the
book that he brought that bottle out in his pocket, instead of diggin'
it up out o' the garden."

Whatever Brady's usual habits of _christening_ his poteen might have
been, that which he now placed before them was good. He laid the bottle
on a little deal table with cross legs, and along with it a small
drinking glass fixed in a bit of flat circular wood, as a substitute for
the original bottom, which had been broken. They now entered upon the
point, in question, without further delay.

"Come, Tim," said Coogan, "you're the ouldest man, and must spake
first."

"Troth, man," replied Dolan, "beggin' your pardon, I'll dhrink
first--healths apiece, your sowl; success boys--glory to ourselves, and
confusion to the Scanlon boys, any way."

"And maybe," observed Connell, "'tis we that didn't lick them well in
the last fair--they're not able to meet the Findramore birds even on
their own walk."

"Well, boys," said Delany, "about the masther? Our childre will grow
up like bullockeens (* little bullocks) widout knowing a ha'porth; and
larning, you see, is a burdyen that's asy carried."

"Ay," observed O'Neil, "as Solvester Maguire, the poet, used to say--