" said Kate.

"Those who wish to make safe, reliable marriages consult their parents
and they consult the priest. I have made your brother's marriage for
him. Why don't you come to me and ask me to make up a marriage for you?"

"I think a girl should make her own marriage, your reverence."

"And what way do you go about making up a marriage? Walking about the
roads in the evening, and going into public-houses, and leaving your
situations. It seems to me, Kate Kavanagh, you have been a long time
making up this marriage."

"Now, Pat Connex, I've got a word with you. You're a good boy, and I
know you don't mean any harm by it; but I have been hearing tales about
you. You've been up to Dublin with Kate Kavanagh. Your mother came up
to speak to me about this matter yesterday, and she said: 'Not a penny
of my money will he ever get if he marries her,' meaning the girl
before you. Your mother said; 'I've got nothing to say against her, but
I've got a right to choose my own daughter-in-law.' These are your
mother's very words, Pat, so you had better listen to reason. Do you
hear me, Kate?"

"I hear your reverence."

"And if you hear me, what have you got to say to that?"

"He's free to go after the girl he chooses, your reverence," said Kate.

"There's been courting enough," the priest said. "If you aren't going
to be married you must give up keeping company. I see Paddy Boyle
outside the door. Go home with him. Do you hear what I'm saying, Pat?
Go straight home, and no stopping about the roads. Just do as I bid
you; go straight home to your mother."

Pat did not move at the bidding of the priest. He stood watching Kate
as if he were waiting for a sign from her, but Kate did not look at him.

"Do you hear what I'm saying to you?" said the priest.

"Yes, I hear," said Pat.

"And aren't you going?" said the priest.

Everyone was afraid Pat would raise his hand against the priest, and
they looked such strong men, both of them, that everyone wondered which
would get the better of the other.

"You won't go home when I tell you to do so. We will see if I can't put
you out of the door then."

"If you weren't a priest," said Pat, "the devil a bit of you would put
me out of the door."

"If I weren't a priest I would break every bone in your body for
talking to me like that. Now out you go," he said, taking him by the
collar, and he put him out.

"And now, Kate Kavanagh," said the priest, coming back from the door,