“‘Whisht!’ I says, not thinkin’ of anny answer yet and cursin’ the stone for bein’ so hard.
“‘But, me good man,’ says he, payin’ no attention, ‘why are ye holdin’ thim shoes up in the air?’
“‘Whisht!’ says I. ‘Why not?’
“‘Why not?’ says he, gaspin’.
“‘Ye said “why” the other time,’ I says. ‘Which do ye mean?’
“‘Which what?’ says he, weak-like.
“‘Either wan of thim,’ says I; ‘sure, all what’s is the same to me. But run along with ye now and don’t be disturbin’ me; it’s workin’ a charm I am. Unless ye would be helpin’ me hold these shoes steady,’ I adds enticin’, bein’ wishful of gittin’ him close enough to grab him.
“‘Hold thim shoes steady?’ says he.
“‘Hold thim shoes steady,’ says I.
“‘A charm?’ says he.