"Oh no, sir!" said the gossoon, grinning, "it's the picthure I main, sir--
an illigant picthure that is hung up in the chapel, and he wanted a hammer
to dhrive the nails--"

"Oh, a _picture_ of the crucifixion," said the little man.

"Yes, sure, sir--the alther-piece, that was althered for to fit to the
place, for it was too big when it came down from Dublin, so they cut off
the sides where the sojers was, bekase it stopt out the windows, and
wouldn't lave a bit o' light for his riverence to read mass; and sure the
sojers were no loss out o' the alther-piece, and was hung up afther in the
vesthery, and serve them right, the blackguards. But it was sore agen our
will to cut off the ladies at the bottom, that was cryin' and roarin'; but
great good luck, the head o' the Blessed Virgin was presarved in the
corner, and sure it's beautiful to see the tears runnin' down her face,
just over the hole in the wall for the holy wather--which is remarkable."

The gossoon was much offended by the laughter that followed his account of
the altar-piece, which he had no intention of making irreverential, and
suddenly became silent, with a muttered "More shame for yiz;" and as his
bootjack was impracticable, he was sent off with orders for the chamber-
maid to supply bed candles immediately.

The party soon separated for their various dormitories, the little man
leaving sundry charges to call them early in the morning, and to be sure
to have hot water ready for shaving, and, without fail, to have their
boots polished in time and left at their room doors;--to all which
injunctions he severally received the answer of--"Certainly, sir;" and as
the bed-room doors were slapped-to, one by one, the last sound of the