“There’s no denyin’ it,” says Dick.
“Well, ‘pon my conscience, it’s the best thing ivir a young man did, for it keeps him out of harm’s way. An’ are ye for soon changin’ ye’r state?”
“Divil a use tellin’ lies among friends,” says Dick. “The sooner the better.”
“Feath—an’ it has come rather sudden upon Sophy,” says Mister Callaghan. “But, God’s will be done! Her brother will be home in an hour. I wish there was only time to send for her mother to Roscrea.”
“What’s wanted with her mother?” says Dick.
“Nothin’ partikler,” says Mr. Callaghan, “only the ould lady would like to see her little girl married.”
“An’ when is she to be married?” inquired Dick. “Why, as there seems to be a hurry,” replies the ould fellow, “it may as well be done ‘out of the face.’”
“An’ if it wouldn’t be an impertinent question,” says Dick, “arrah! who’s to be the happy man?”
“An’ are ye jokin’?” says ould Callaghan. “Arrah, who should it be, but yourself?”
“Myself?” says Dick. “Shemus,” says he—“the divil an appearance of liker’s on the ould man, what does he mane at all?”