In the course of that evening, after dinner, while his father and he were together and his mother not present, he introduced the subject himself.
“I think, Mr. Burke, if I remember correctly, you proposed something like a matrimonial union between the unrivalled Katsey Cavanagh and the accomplished Hycy.”
“I did, God forgive me.”
“I have been thinking over that subject since.”
“Have you, indeed,” said his father; “an' am I to make Ned a priest or a farmer?” he asked, dryly.
“The church, I think, Mr. Burke, is, or ought to be, his destination.”
“So, after all, you prefer to have my money and my property, along wid a good wife, to your brother Ned—Neddy I ought to call him, out of compliment to you—ha! ha! ha!”
“Proceed, Mr. Burke, you are pleased to be facetious.”
“To your brother Ned—Neddy—having them, and maybe along wid them the same, wife too?”
“No, not exactly; but out of respect to your wishes.