“Why, when I eat meat on a Friday, the pepper and sauce cost me nothing. The 'gentlemen' lays on hard, but the lady extenuates, 'in regard to it's bein' jinteel.'”
“Well, but you have certainly no scruple yourself on the subject?”
“Yes, I have, sir, a very strong one—in favor of the meat—ha! ha! ha!”
“D—n me, whoever christened you Hycy the accomplished, hit you off.”
“I did myself; because you must know, my worthy Hal, that, along with all my other accomplishments, I am my own priest.'
“And that is the reason why you hate the clergy? eh—ha! ha! ha!”
“A hit, a hit, I do confess.”
“Harke, Mr. Priest, will you give absolution—to Tom Corbet?”
“Ah! Hal, no more an' thou lovest me—that sore is yet open. Curse the villain. My word and honor, Hal, the gentleman' was right there. He told me at the first glance what she was. Here comes a shower, let us move on, and reach Ballymacan, if possible, before it falls. We shall be home in fair time for dinner afterwards, and then for my proposal, which, by the word and honor—”
“And morality?”