“Oh, it is nothing at all,” said Billy.
“I should think there was something,” said the man.
“I am afraid my house will get a bad name,” croaked the landlord.
“Not in the least! You are only a coward,” said Billy.
“But in the name of God, what is it all about?” asked an old man.
“Oh, you’ll see by-and-bye,” said Billy; “it is nothing at all.”
Next morning Billy went to his smithy, but the devil would not come near it.
So he went to his house, and began to quarrel with his wife, and whilst he was quarrelling the devil walked in and said:
“Well, Mr. Duffy, I am ready for you.”
“Ah, yes; just sit down and wait a minute or two. I have some papers I want to put to rights before I go.”