“These questions didn't make Father McGrath any paler. He laughed, of course, but not as if 'twas the funniest thing he ever heard.
“'So you think I'm fat, do you, my boy?' says he.
“'Yes, I do,' says Archibald. 'Fat and red and funny. Most as funny as the whisker man. I never saw such funny-lookin' people.'
“He commenced to point and holler and laugh. Poor Margaret was so shocked and mortified she didn't know what to do.
“'Stop your noise, sonny,' says I. 'This gentleman wants to talk to your nurse.'
“The answer I got was some unexpected.
“'What makes your feet so big?' says Archie, pointin' at my Sunday boots. 'Why do you wear shoes like that? Can't you help it? You're funny, too, aren't you? You're funnier than the rest of 'em.'
“We all went into the library then, and Father McGrath tried to ask Margaret some questions. I'd told him the heft of the yarn on the way from the church, and he was interested. But the questionin' was mighty unsatisfyin'. Archibald was the whole team, and the rest of us was yeller dogs under the wagon.
“'Can't you keep that child quiet?' asks the priest, at last, losin' his temper and speakin' pretty sharp.
“'O Archie, dear! DO be a nice boy,' begs Margaret, for the eight hundredth time.