Purcel, while he spoke, kept his eyes fixed very significantly upon the magistrate, to whose imagination a long and interesting correspondence with his friend, the Castle, started immediately forth, appended to which were votes of thanks, flattering testimonies, together with a stipendiary magistracy, with a full retiring pension, and an appointment for his son, in the background.
“He has made use of that language to intimidate your worship,” proceeded Purcel, but I think he ought to know you better.”
“Sir,” said O'Driscol, addressing Hourigan, “what did you mane by talking about shooting magistrates? Do you think, sirrah, to frighten me—Fitzgerald O'Driscol—from discharging my duty?”
“Frighten, you, sir! oh! bedad, your honor, you aren't the gintleman for that.”
“No, sir, I believe not—I believe not, Hourigan; no, my poor man, I am not indeed. Hourigan, you are not an uncivil person, but why refuse to pay your tithes? You are well able to do it.”
“Why, bekaise I daren't, sir; if I did—talkin' about shootin'—it's a round lump of lead I would find in my stomach instead o' my poor breakfast, some o' these days.”
“I don't doubt but he is right enough there, your worship,” observed Purcel, “there's a conspiracy—”
“Yes,” exclaimed the magistrate, “oh! ay!—yes!—hem—a conspiracy! Well—no matter—let it rest for a little. Well—as this case is one of great difficulty, involving several profound points of law, I would recommend you to make it up, and be friends. Hourigan, you will forgive Mr. Purcel, who is hasty but generous. You will forgive him, I say, and he will give you something in the shape of a—salve for your wounds. Come, forgive him, Hourigan, and I will overlook, on my part, the seditious language you used against the Irish magistracy; and, besides, you will make me your friend.”
“Forgive him, sir!” said Hourigan, shrugging himself, and putting up his hand to feel the welts of black and blue which intersected each other upon his countenance and shoulders. “An' maybe it's half-a-crown he'll threwn me.”
“No, no, Hourigan, I'll guarantee for him that he'll treat you liberally: one good turn deserves another, you know.”