"I don't think, your reverence, anyone would have me."

"You are not speaking your mind," said the priest, a little
sternly. "It is said that you don't want to be married, that you
like courting better."

"I'd like to be married well enough," said Kate.

"Those who wish to make safe, reliable marriages consult their
parents and they consult the priest. I have made your brother's
marriage for him. Why don't you come to me and ask me to make up a
marriage for you?"

"I think a girl should make her own marriage, your reverence."

"And what way do you go about making up a marriage? Walking about
the roads in the evening, and going into public-houses, and
leaving your situations. It seems to me, Kate Kavanagh, you have
been a long time making up this marriage."

"Now, Pat Connex, I've got a word with you. You're a good boy, and
I know you don't mean any harm by it; but I have been hearing
tales about you. You've been up to Dublin with Kate Kavanagh. Your
mother came up to speak to me about this matter yesterday, and she
said: 'Not a penny of my money will he ever get if he marries
her,' meaning the girl before you. Your mother said; 'I've got
nothing to say against her, but I've got a right to choose my own
daughter-in-law.' These are your mother's very words, Pat, so you
had better listen to reason. Do you hear me, Kate?"