"'Tell 'im whin he comes,' says she, 'that I put th' handles ov a plow in his han's an' he's t' let go ov thim only in death.'
"'I'll tell 'm,' says I, 'but it's yerself that'll be here whin he comes,' says I. She smiled like an' says she, 'What ye don't know, Jamie, wud make a pretty big library.' 'Aye,' says I, 'I haaven't aany doubt ov that, Anna.'"
"There was a loud knock at the door."
"Let thim dundther," Mary said. He put his hand behind his ear and asked eagerly:
"What is 't?"
"Somebody's dundtherin'."
"Let thim go t' h——," he said angrily.
"Th' tuk 'im frum Anna last time, th' won't take 'im frum me an' you, Mary."
Another and louder knock.
"It's Misthress Healy," came a voice. Again his hand was behind his ear. The name was repeated to him.