going at full speed.

"Well done, father!" called back Nora.

"Heaven preserve us!" thought Mrs. O'Shanaghgan, who still sat
speechless, and as if made of iron.

At last they reached a long, rambling old house, with many small
windows, interspersed with a few of enormous dimensions. These were
called parliament windows, and had been put into many houses of that
period in order to avoid the window-tax. Most of the windows were
open, and out of some of them ragged towels were drying in the
evening breeze. About half a dozen dogs, most of which were of
mongrel breed, rushed forward at the sound of the wheels, barking
vociferously. Nora, with a dexterous touch of her hand, drew the
mare up just in front of the mansion, and then sprang lightly to her
feet.'

"Now, mother, shall I help you down?"

"You had better find out first if Mrs. Murphy is in," said the
Squire's wife.

A ragged urchin, such as seemed to abound like mushrooms in the
place, came and held the reins close to the horse's mouth. The
creature stood trembling from the violence of her exertions, and
pouring down moisture at every pore. "She wants to be well rubbed
down," said the Squire. "She doesn't get half exercise enough; this
will never do. What if I have to make money on her, and she is
spoiled?"