“The most litigious scoundrel on the estate.”
“Indeed? Oh, then, we must look into the merits of his petition, as he is not honest. Had he been honest like Brady, Carson, I should have dismissed it.”
“Cullen, sir, is a dangerous fellow. Do you know, that rascal has charged me with keeping back his receipts, and with making I him pay double rent!—ha, ha, ha! Upon my honor, its fact.”
“The scoundrel! We shall sift him to some purpose, however.”
“If you take my advice, sir, you will send him about his business; for if it be once known that you listen to malicious petitions, my authority over such villains as Cullen is lost.”
“Well, I set him aside for the present. Here's a long list of others, all of whom have been oppressed, forsooth. Is there a man called M'Evoy on my estate?—Dominick M'Evoy, I think.”
“M'Evoy! Why that rascal, sir, has not been your tenant for ten years? His petition, Colonel, is a key to the nature of their grievances in general.”
“I believe you, Carson—most implicitly do I believe that. Well, about that rascal?”
“Why, it is so long since, that upon my honor, I cannot exactly remember the circumstances of his misconduct. He ran away.”
“Who is in his farm now, Carson?”