'Whew!' said the Major, with a long whistle. 'Is it there we are! Oh, by the powers, Mr. Hinton! that's not fair—to come down here not only to win our money in a steeplechase, but to want to carry off the belle of our county besides. That 'll never do.'
'She doesn't belong to you at all,' said Father Tom; 'she is a parishioner of mine, and so were her father and grandfather before her. And moreover than that, she is the prettiest girl, and the best too, in the county she lives in—and that's no small praise, for it's Galway I'm talking of. And now here's a bumper to her, and who 'll refuse it?'
'Not I, certainly.'
'Nor I,' said the Major, as we drank to her health with all the honours.
'Now for another jug,' quoth the Major, as he moved towards the fireplace in search of the kettle.
'After that toast, not another drop,' said I resolutely.
'Well said!' chimed in the priest; 'may I never, if that wasn't very Irish!'
Firmly resisting all the Major's solicitations to resume my place at the table, I wished both my friends goodnight; and having accepted Bob Mahon's offer of a seat in his tax-cart to the race, I shook their hands warmly, and took my leave.