of the other patriots mentioned by Dr. O'Grady. Now and then, in
a very loud tone, he said the name of General John Regan. Whenever he
did so the audience was greatly pleased. He ended by announcing the
names of the gentlemen who were to form "The Statue Committee." Father
McCormack came first on the list. Mr. Billing was second. Major Kent,
Dr. O'Grady, Doyle and Gallagher himself made up the number. He said
that it was unnecessary for him to say anything about the fitness of
these gentlemen for the high and responsible position to which they were
being elected by the unanimous voice of their fellow countrymen.

Gallagher descended from his perch, but he was not allowed to sit down.
He wanted to, because sitting down is a far more dignified way of ending
a speech than slouching into the background. It was Doyle who interfered
with him.

"Get up out of that, Thady," he said. "Don't you know the chair's wanted
for the American gentleman? How is he to make a speech if you don't give
him something to stand on?"

Gallagher, who had not actually succeeded in sitting down, left his
chair with a protest.

"It would suit you better to be getting another chair," he said.

"It would not," said Doyle. "Would you have all the chairs that's in it
brought out to the street?"

Mr. Billing stood up and smiled pleasantly. Father McCormack's
exhortation had its effect. More than forty people gathered to hear
what the stranger had to say. This was courtesy. The hospitality, it
was presumed, had already been shown by Doyle. Gallagher, who still
had hopes of finding out something about General John Regan, and Dr.
O'Grady, who was equally anxious to hear the speech, leaned forward
eagerly. Father McCormack crossed his legs and settled himself as
comfortably as possible in his chair.

Mr. Billing proved a disappointment as a speaker. The substance of what
he said was quite admirable, but he only spoke for five minutes. Now an
audience, even if it is not listening and does not want to listen, is
apt to complain that it is treated with a want of respect if a speaker
gives it no more than five minutes.

"I reckon," said Mr. Billing, "that what's required of me is not oratory
but dollars."

This was true but nude. In Ireland we have a sure instinct in such
matters, and we know that the nude is never decent. We like everything,
especially Truth, to have clothes on.

"Five hundred dollars is the amount that I'm prepared to hand over to