"I have not, ma'am," said Mrs. Haley.
"Had you not better take some friend with you who has been there before, lest you should get lost?"
"Faith, I had, ma'am: I had a right to have moor sinse an' think o' that."
So Mrs. Haley departed, returning again in company with Mary Magovern: "Here's Mary Magovern, ma'am: she's goin' along wid me."
"Ah, that's very well.—You know the city, Mary? you've been there?"
"I have not, ma'am."
"Why, what, then, is the use of your going with Mrs. Haley?"
"We'll make a shtrict inquiry, ma'am."
The next morning they started, and at four o'clock Old Haley came in much anxiety of mind to seek comfort of my mother: "Maggie's not come, ma'am. Faith, I'm throubled, for the city is a quare place."
When it grew late Haley returned again and again, in ever-increasing anxiety, to be reassured. At last, when the family were retiring to bed, came Mrs. Haley and Mrs. Magovern to report their arrival. In spite of the lateness of the hour my mother received them, and in spite of their wearied and worn faces administered a gentle rebuke for the anxiety that Mrs. Haley had caused her spouse.