"That's a lie of you," she replied, fiercely; "she bought it for you out
of her own pocket. I know that much. She tould Kate Duffy so herself,
and boasted of it: but wait."

"Well," replied Hanlon, anxious to keep down the gust of jealousy which
he saw rising, "and if she did, how could I prevent her?"

"What letthers did she put on it?"

"P. and an M.," he replied, "the two first letthers of my name."

"That's another lie," she exclaimed; "they're not the two first letthers
of your name, but of her own; there's no M in Hanlon. At any rate,
unless you give the same handkerchy to me, I'll make it be a black
business to her."

"Keep it, keep it, wid all my heart," he replied, glad to get rid of a
topic which at that moment came on him so powerfully and unseasonably.
"Do what you like wid it."

"You say so willingly, now--do you?"

"To be sure I do; an' you may tell the whole world that I said so, if
you like."

"P. M.--oh, ay, that's for Peggy Murray--maybe the letthers I saw on the
ould tobaccy-box I found in the hole of the wall to-day were for Peggy
Murray. Ha! ha! ha! Oh, may be I won't have a brag over her!"