“For that matther,” observed the farithee, joining in the joke, “he can see as far as any of us—while we're asleep.”
The conversation was thus proceeding, when Barney Dhal and young Frank M'Kenna entered the kitchen.
In a moment all hands were extended to welcome Barney: “Millia failte ghud, Barny!” “Cead millia failte ghud, Barny!” “Oh, Barny, did you come at last? You're welcome.” “Barny, my Trojan, how is every cart-load of you?” “How is Granua Waile, Barny?”
“Why, thin, holy music, did you never see Barny Dhal afore? Clear off from about me, or, by the sweets of rosin, I'll play the devil an' brake things. 'You're welcome, Barny!'—an' 'How are you, Barny?' Why thin, piper o' Moses, don't I know I'm welcome, an' yit you must be tellin' me what everybody knows! But sure I have great news for you all!”
“What is that, Barny?”
“Well, but can yez keep a sacret? Can yez, girls?”
“Faix can we, Barny, achora.”
“Well, so can I—ha, ha, ha! Now, are,yez sarved? Come, let me to the hob.”
“Here, Barny; I'll lead you, Barny.”
“No, I have him; come, Barny, I'll lead you: here, achora, this is the spot—that's it. Why, Barny,” said the arch girl, as she placed him in the corner, “sorra one o' the hob but knows you: it never stirs—ha, ha, ha!”