"Have you any children?"
"No, I have not."
"That's a pity," said Moriarty, "for with such a father they couldn't help turnin' out fine men. May I ax, are you a Liberal or a Conservative?"
"I'm a Socialist."
"The masther has tould me about thim," said Moriarty, closing the door of Garryowen's box and taking his seat on a bucket. "You're wan of thim that b'laves every man is born equal, and we should all share alike. D'you mane to tell me that, now?"
Mr. Piper, led on to his favourite topic, expanded, taking his seat on the edge of an old bin by the stable door.
"So," said Moriarty, "thim's your opinions? A big puddin', and every man wid a plate and spoon. And who, may I ax, is to make the puddin', and who's to wash the plates?"
Mr. Piper explained that every man would help to make the pudding, and every man would wash his own plate.
"And s'pose," said Moriarty, "one chap takes a double helpin' before his turn, or cracks his plate over another chap's head?"
Mr. Piper explained that every man would be equally ungreedy and equally well disposed to his neighbour.