want to eat much; and there's a good supply of fruit and vegetables
on the land; and the poor folk will wait for their wages. Of course
there will be more rents coming in, and we'll scrape along somehow.
Don't you fret, colleen. I declare it's light as a feather my heart
is since I told you the truth. You are a comfort to me, Norrie."

"Father," said Nora suddenly, "there's one thing I want to say."

"What is that, pet?"

"You know Andy Neil?"

"What! Andrew Neil--that scoundrel?" The Squire's brow grew very
black. "Yes, yes. What about him? You have not seen him, have you?"

"Yes, father, I have."

"Over at Murphy's? He knew he dare not show his face here. Well,
what about him, Nora?"

"This," said Nora, trembling very much; "he--he does not want you to
evict him."

"He'll pay his rent, or he'll go," thundered the Squire. "No more of
this at present. I can't be worried."

"But, oh, father! he--he can't pay it any more than you can pay the
mortgage. Don't be cruel to him if you want to be dealt with mercifully
yourself; it would be such bad luck."