"He left a few minutes ago," said Tom Durfy.
"Well, I dare say he's doing good wherever he is," said Murtough; "I wanted to speak to him, but when he comes back send him to me. In the meantime, Tom, run down and bring up a batch of voters—we're getting a little ahead, I think, with the bothering I'm giving them up there, and now I want to push them with good strong tallies—run down to the yard, like a good fellow, and march them up."
Off posted Tom Durfy on his mission, and Murphy returned to the court-house.
Tom, on reaching Murphy's house, found a strange posse of O'Grady's party hanging round the place, and one of the fellows had backed a car against the yard gate which opened on the street, and was the outlet for Egan's voters. By way of excuse for this, the car was piled with cabbages for sale, and a couple of very unruly pigs were tethered to the shafts, and the strapping fellow who owned all kept guard over them. Tom immediately told him he should leave that place, and an altercation commenced; but even an electioneering dispute could not but savour of fun and repartee, between Paddies.
"Be off!" said Tom.
"Sure I can't be off till the market's over," was the answer.
"Well, you must take your car out o' this."
"Indeed now, you'll let me stay, Misther Durfy."
"Indeed I won't."
"Arrah! what harm?"