Lord J. You had something to say to me, sir? I wait till your recollection returns.
Rory. ’Faith, and that’s very kind of you; and if you had always done so, you would never have been offended with me, my lord.
Lord J. You are mistaken, Mr. O’Ryan, if you think that you did or could offend me.
Rory. Mistaken was I, then, sure enough; but we are all liable to mistakes, and should forget and forgive one another; that’s the way to go through.
Lord J. You will go through the world your own way, Mr. O’Ryan, and allow me to go through it my way.
Rory. Very fair—fair enough—then we shan’t cross. But now, to come to the point. I don’t like to be making disagreeable retrospects, if I could any way avoid it; nor to be going about the bush, especially at this time o’ day; when, as Mr. Finsbury’s come, we’ve not so much time to lose as we had. Is there any truth, then, my lord, in the report that is going about this hour past, that you have gone in a huff, and given your promise there to that sneaking Wheeler to vote for him now?
Lord J. In answer to your question, sir, I am to inform you that I have promised Mr. Wheeler to vote for him.
Rory. In a huff?—Ay, now, there it is!—Well, when a man’s mad, to be sure, he’s mad—and that’s all that can be said about it. And I know, if I had been mad myself, I might have done a foolish thing as well as another. But now, my lord, that you are not mad—
Lord J. I protest, sir, I cannot understand you. In one word, sir, I’m neither mad nor a fool!—Your most obedient (going, angrily).
Rory (holding him). Take care now; you are going mad with me again. But phoo! I like you the better for being mad. I’m very often mad myself, and I would not give a potato for one that had never been mad in his life.