g might be gained.
If the Government would not do this, the Government might be induced to
supply books on poultry free of charge. It took the Catholic landlord
half an hour to express his ideas regarding the asylum, the pump, and
the duties of the Government, and in this way the priest succeeded in
delaying the departure of the audience till after closing time.
"However fast they walk," he said to himself, "they won't get to
Michael Dunne's public-house in ten minutes, and he will be shut by
then." It devolved upon him to bring the evening's amusement to a close
with a few remarks, and he said:--

"Now, the last words I have to say to you I'll address to the women.
Now listen to me. If you pay more attention to your poultry you'll
never be short of half a sovereign to lend your husbands, your sons, or
your brothers."

These last words produced an approving shuffling of feet in one corner
of the room, and seeing that nothing more was going to happen, the
villagers got up and they went out very slowly, the women curtseying
and the men lifting their caps to the priest as they passed him.

He had signed to Ned and Mary that he wished to speak to them, and
after he had spoken to Ned he called Kate and reminded her that he had
not seen her at confession lately.

"Pat Connex and Peter M'Shane, now don't you be going. I will have a
word with you presently." And while Kate tried to find an excuse to
account for her absence from confession, the priest called to Ned and
Mary, who were talking at a little distance. He told them he would be
waiting for them in church tomorrow, and he said he had never made a
marriage that gave him more pleasure. He alluded to the fact that they
had come to him. He was responsible for this match, and he accepted the
responsibility gladly. His uncle, the Vicar-General, had delegated all
the work of the parish to him.

"Father Stafford," he said abruptly, "will be very glad to hear of your
marriage, Kate Kavanagh."

"My marriage," said Kate .... "I don't think I shall ever be married."

"Now, why do you say that?" said the priest. Kate did not know why she
had said that she would never be married. However, she had to give some
reason, and she said:--

"I don't think, your reverence, anyone would have me."

"You are not speaking your mind," said the priest, a little sternly.
"It is said that you don't want to be married, that you like courting
better."

"I'd like to be married well enough,