“Well, she's good to the poor, anyhow,” said Brierley; “and it's a new thing for one of her name to be so!”
“All policy, all scheming!” said Magennis. “She sees how the family influence has declined, and is fast becoming obliterated in this country, by reason of their worthlessness, insolence, and neglect of the people; and she 's just shrewd enough to see how far a little cajolery goes with poor Paddy; but, as my 'august leader' observed, it is not a frieze coat, nor a pair of brogues, that can compensate for the loss of that freedom that is every man's birthright; and it is not by an ounce of tea, or a dose of physic, we 'll ever see Ireland great, glorious, and free.”
“'First gem of the earth, and first flower of the sea!'” exclaimed Hayes, with enthusiasm.
Nor in the moment was the blunder of his quotation noticed by any but Massingbred. “You are an admirer of Tommy Moore, I see, sir?” said he, to the old man.
“I am fond of 'The Meeting of the Waters,' sir,” said Hayes, meekly, and like a man who was confessing to a weakness.
“And here 's the man to sing it!” cried Brierley, clapping the priest familiarly on the shoulder; a proposal that was at once hailed with acclamation.
“'T is many a long day I have n't sung a note,” said Father Neal, modestly.
“Come, come, Father Neal; we'll not let you off that way. It's not under this roof that you can make such an excuse!”
“He 'd rather give us something more to his own taste,” said Brierley. “'To Ladies' eyes around, boys,'—eh, Father Rafferty?”
“That's my favorite of all the songs he sings,” broke in Magennis.