"Does he often treat you to such exhibitions?"

"Whenever he has an open for them, sir," said I, smiling. "But we don't mind those things, for he is an 'onest man, an' would not hurt man, woman, or child, willin'ly."

"Then," said Mr. St. George, "you did not go to school to him, or he must have spared the rod, eh?"

"Whether or not," I answered, "truth is truth, an' ought to be spoken. He is what I said."

I thought the gentleman looked at me approvingly. And presently after he was kind. enough to say that he would remind his cousin to do something for the poor pedagogue,-- "if only the grass for the goats," said he, laughing heartily.

Now this good word for M'Gurk gained a friend for me. So we ought always, when in our power, drop the good seed, say the good word, and do the kind turn for one or more of our fellow creatures, for it is mostly always repaid us by some benevolent being or other.

Such a one as was now striding along beside

me, with the light spirits of youth, and a mind at ease, whistling a merry air, and occasionally humming some words of a song. Suddenly he turned round and said,—

"So you are a Pat, your father before you was a Pat, your grandfather a Pat, and the fruit of the genealogical tree were chiefly Pats, eh?"

"Not one of the name in the family, sir," I answered, in that prompt, off-hand manner I thought would be more agreeable to him.

"No!" cried he. "By Jove! I scarcely ever heard of an Irish family without a Pat or a Bridget. Then what did your godfathers give you?"

"James Kelly O'Dwyer."

"A most imposing one, I protest. James Kelly O'Dwyer, good! I shan't forget it."

But it was already forgotten. For after indifferently singing the chorus of a huntingsong, he turned quickly round, and asked, “Mr. M'Guire are there many pretty petticoats thereabouts?"

I stared.

Petticoats, sir?" I repeated.

He nodded.

Of course I thought it my duty to reply as faithfully as I could, so I said that

"I could not say much for their beauty; that on week-days the women wore linsey, a sort of stuff made of wool an' thread; on Sundays black stuff, or calimaco, an' that the best sort wore white dimity, but that thim war few."

While I was giving this description of women's gear, I was looking straight on before me, doing my best to recollect the different sorts, and when I had done I turned to see if the gentleman understood me and was satisfied. What was my confusion to see him shaking with laughter! which he was vainly trying to suppress, but which burst out when he encountered my looks. I grew as red as a turkeycock of course, and I said nothing.

"A matter of fact man, I see," said he, and trying to be serious. "Linsey, calimanco, and white dimity! Nothing could be more graphic, ha ha ha! But you say nothing about the wearers; what sort are they?"

"Oh, the girls, is it?" I cried, suddenly enlightened. "What a fool I was!"

VOL. II.

D

I had not time to say more, for we had just reached our house, and the front-door suddenly opening showed my sister Grace, lovely enough to grace a palace, standing in the passage. Surprised and delighted, Mr. St. George, archly smiling, cried,

"Ha!" here is one pretty petticoat. Is this calimanco or white dimity? Let me see."

And without leave asked or given he kissed her before my face! What was I, the brother, to say to all this? Nothing, but to take it as it was meant, in harmless good-humour.

As he bounded about from place to place our old housekeeper's apron and cap next caught his eye as she was slowly ascending the steps from the dairy, and away he flew to meet her. But her venerably wrinkled face and grey foretop stopped his career; however, he kindly, and so warmly pressed her hand in greeting her, as to bring the blood to her face. and nose, if not the tears into her eyes.

"A thousan' an' a thousan' welkems to yer honour!" sang out the old woman, curtseying to the ground, and diligently rubbing the back of her hand, which indeed showed symptoms of

the ardent squeeze it had received.

proud to see ye here, sir, an' I hope ye honour's father in good health?"

"I am

left yer

"My father?" he repeated, his gaiety suddenly checked, for he was an orphan. But understanding her mistake, he quickly resumed his vivacity, told her that his uncle, Sir William Lindon, was quite well, that his son would be with her presently, that he was come to take possession of her apartments, "which I know," said he, glancing significantly at Grace, "I shall like above all things. I am in love with all about the house already."

Honor was now advancing in her best trot to usher the young gentleman into the parlour, but, seizing her hand, and wheeling her round in a sort of pirouette step that she never before danced so neatly, ere she was aware of it, he seated her on her straw boss by the fire, requesting her to rest her venerable limbs, for that only legs fifty years younger than hers could keep pace with him when he was on the wing."

66

"Throth, I think so," quoth the old woman, smiling, as her eyes pursued him tripping off