and that he was going to take Mary to the lecture.

Michael Kavanagh wished his son God-speed. He was very tired; and
he thought it was pretty hard to come home after a long day's work
to find his wife and daughter quarrelling.

"I am sorry your dinner is not ready, father, but it won't be long
now. I'll cut the bacon."

"I met Ned on the road," said her father. "He has gone to fetch
Mary. He is going to take her to the lecture on poultry-keeping at
the school-house."

"Ah, he has been to the priest, has he?" said Kate, and her mother
asked her why she said that, and the wrangle began again.

Ned was the peacemaker; there was generally quiet in the cabin
when he was there. He came in with Mary, a small, fair girl, and a
good girl, who would keep his cabin tidy. His mother and sisters
were broad-shouldered women with blue-black hair and red cheeks,
and it was said that he had said he would like to bring a little
fair hair into the family.

"We've just come in for a minute," said Mary. "Ned said that
perhaps you'd be coming with us."

"All the boys in the village will be there to-night, said Ned.
"You had better come with us." And pretending he wanted to get a
coal of fire to light his pipe, Ned whispered to Kate as he passed
her, "Pat Connex will be there."