"Drunk or sober, you may choose now; it's either me or him; but if you disgrace yourself, you shall not disgrace me!"
Father John took Feemy's arm on his, and telling the people to go back to their dancing, laid his hand on Thady's shoulder, and said,
"At any rate, Thady, come a little out of this; if you must speak to your sister in that way, you don't wish all the parish to hear what you're saying."
"What matthers, Father John; what matthers? Shure they've all heard too much already;—don't they all say she's the blackguard's misthress?"
"Oh, Thady, how can you repeat that word of me?" sobbed the poor girl.
"Why did you let them say it? Why don't you tell the man that's blackening your name while he's desaving you, to be laving you now, and not following you through the country like a curse?"
By this time the whole party, consisting of Father John, the two young men, and Feemy, were walking on rapidly towards Ballycloran. Feemy was crying, but saying nothing. Ussher was silent, although Thady was heaping on him every term of abuse he could think of;—and Father John was in vain attempting to moderate his wrath. Thus they continued until they came to the avenue leading up to the house, and on Ussher's proceeding with them through the gate, Thady put himself in the way, stopping him.
"You'll not come a step in here, Captain, if I know it; you might follow us along the road, for I couldn't help it,—but, by G——d, you don't come in here!"
"Nonsense, man; do you think I'll stop out for a drunken man's riot? let me pass."
"Set a foot in here, you blackguard, and I'll stretch you!"