“Well,” said Father Peter, “I think that dog was nothing more or less than a downright cur, that deserved the lash nine times a day, if it was only for his want of respect to the clergy; if he had given me such insolence, I solemnly declare I would have bate the devil out of him with a hazel cudgel, if I failed to exorcise him with a prayer.”
Father Ned looked at the simple and credulous curate with an expression of humor and astonishment.
“Paddy,” said he to the servant, “will you let us know what the night's doing?”
Paddy looked out. “Why, your Rev'rence, it's a fine night, all out, and cleared up it is bravely.”
At this moment the stranger awoke.
“Sir,” said Father Ned, “you missed an amusing story, in consequence of your somnolency.”
“Though I missed the story,” replied the stranger, “I was happy enough to hear your friend's critique upon the dog.”
Father Ned seemed embarrassed; the curate, on the contrary, exclaimed with triumph—“but wasn't I right, sir?”
“Perfectly,” said the stranger; “the moral you applied was excellent.”
“Good-night, boys,” said Father Ned—“good-night, Mr. Longinus Polysyllabus Alexandrinus!”