The show of hands was declared to be in favour of Egan, whereupon a poll was demanded on the part of Scatterbrain, after which every one began to move from the court-house.
O'Grady, in very ill-humour, was endeavouring to shove past a herculean fellow, rather ragged and very saucy, who did not seem inclined to give place to the savage elbowing of the Squire.
"What brings such a ragged rascal as you here?" said O'Grady, brutally; "you're not an elector."
"Yis, I am!" replied the fellow, sturdily.
"Why, you can't have a lease, you beggar."
"No, but maybe I have an article."[22] ]
"What is your article?"
"What is it?" retorted the fellow, with a fierce look at O'Grady. "'Faith, it's a fine brass blunderbuss; and I'd like to see the man would dispute the title."
O'Grady had met his master, and could not reply; the crowd shouted for the ragamuffin, and all parties separated, to gird up their loins for the next day's poll.
CHAPTER XIX