"She was a poor widdy, sor, an' had no more to give me. I took all she had, sor; an' bedad, sor, a lyyer could have done no better nor that, sor."
51. CUTTING SHORT A PRAYER
Many a spiritual history is condensed into a miniature in the following:
Two fishermen—Jamie and Sandy—belated and befogged on a rough water, were in some trepidation lest they should never get ashore again. At last Jamie said:
"Sandy, I'm steering, and I think you'd better put up a bit of a prayer."
Sandy said: "I don't know how."
Jamie said: "If you don't I'll just chuck ye overboard."
Sandy began: "O Lord, I never asked onything of Ye for fifteen year, and if Ye'll only get us safe back I'll never trouble Ye again."
"Whist, Sandy," said Jamie, "the boat's touched shore; don't be beholden to onybody."