Between McGovery and Pat Brady he had succeeded in getting two thirty-shilling notes, which lay in the bottom of the plate, and formed a respectable base for the little heap of silver which he would collect; and if he did not get as much as the occasion would seem to warrant, the deficiency arose from no delicacy in asking, or want of perseverance in urging.
"Now, Captain, you're the only Protestant among us; show these Catholics of mine a liberal example—show them what they ought to do for their priest,"—here Captain Ussher put a couple of half-crowns in the plate. "There, boys, see what a Protestant does for me. Well, Feemy, I never ask the ladies, you know, but I shan't let Thady off; though he ain't here, I shall settle that in the rent."
"Oh, yes, Father John; make Thady pay for himself and me; Mrs. Brennan has got all my money."
"But where's Thady, Feemy dear? I hope you and he are good friends now."
"Oh yes, Father John; that is, I didn't see him since morning."
"But will he be here to-night?"
"He said he would; but you'd best ask Pat, he knows most about him."
This conversation took place in an under tone, and the priest walked on with his plate.
"Come, Mr. Tierney, how's yourself? I see you're waiting there, quite impatient, with your hands in your pocket. It's nothing less than a crown piece, I'll go bail."
"'Deed then, crown pieces a'nt that plenty in the counthry, these days, Father John; the likes of them"—and he put half-a-crown in the plate—"are scarce enough."