“By makin’ old things as good as new,” says Saint Kavin.
“Is it a tinker you are?” says the king.
“No,” says the saint; “I’m no tinker by trade, King O’Toole; I’ve a better trade than a tinker,” says he–"what would you say,” says he, "if I made your old goose as good as new?”
My dear, at the word of making his goose as good as new, you’d think the poor old king’s eyes were ready to jump out of his head. With that the king whistled, and down came the poor goose, just like a hound, waddling up to the poor cripple, her master, and as like him as two peas. The minute the saint clapt his eyes on the goose, “I’ll do the job for you,” says he, “King O’Toole.”
“By Jaminee!” says King O’Toole, “if you do, I’ll say you’re the cleverest fellow in the seven parishes.”
“Oh, by dad,” says St. Kavin, “you must say more nor that–my horn’s not so soft all out,” says he, “as to repair your old goose for nothing; what’ll you gi’ me if I do the job for you?–that’s the chat,” says St. Kavin.
“I’ll give you whatever you ask,” says the king; “isn’t that fair?”
“Divil a fairer,” says the saint; “that’s the way to do business. Now,” says he, “this is the bargain I’ll make with you, King O’Toole: will you gi’ me all the ground the goose flies over, the first offer, after I make her as good as new?”
“I will,” says the king.
“You won’t go back o’ your word?” says St. Kavin.