“So you’ve been saying your prayers?” he began.

“Yes, yer honour”—a curtsey—“but there was a sermon too.”

“Was it a good one?”

“It was so, sir.”

“Tell me what is your idea of a good sermon, Mary?”

“Oh, well, one that makes yer blood creep. Father Dunne is a nice quiet man, but he never frightens ye, or puts the fear of death in ye, not like Father Daly. ’Twas him as preached to-day.”

“Yes. Tell me all about it?”

“Then, sir, I declare ye might have heard the people breathing! They were just paralysed!”

“Ah! And were you frightened?”

“I cannot say I was all out—just a bit disheartened with myself. I know I’m a black sinner.”