“I have a lady beyond in Ireland,” says M’Carthy, “and she is an ornament to the roads when she is passing along. But no person gets seeing her these times and that is a big misfortune to the world.”
“What’s the cause?” asks the Englishman.
“I’d have a grief on me to think another man might be looking on her and I not standing by,” says M’Carthy. “So she gives me that satisfaction on her promised word: all the time I do be away she never quits the house, and no man body is allowed within.”
The Englishman let a great laugh out of him at the words.
“You are simple enough!” says he. “Don’t you know rightly when you are not in it herself will be feasting and entertaining and going on with every diversion?”
M’Carthy was raging at the impertinence of him, and he offered for to fight.
“What would that be proving?” says the Englishman. “Let you make a powerful big bet with myself that I will not be able for to bring you a token from your lady and a full description of her appearance.”
“I’ll be winning the money off you, surely!” says M’Carthy.
“Not at all,” says the Englishman. “I’m not in the least uneasy about it, for I’m full sure it’s the truth I’m after speaking of how she does be playing herself in your absence.”
“You’ll find me in this place and you coming back,” says M’Carthy. “Let you be prepared with the money to have along with you.”