sopher removed his pipe from his lips-"God be with yourself,"
said he, and he replaced his pipe.

Meehawl MacMurrachu crooked his thumb at space, "Where is the other one?"
said he.

"Ah!" said the Philosopher.

"He might be outside, maybe?"

"He might, indeed," said the Philosopher gravely.

"Well, it doesn't matter," said the visitor, "for you have enough
knowledge by yourself to stock a shop. The reason I came here to-day was
to ask your honoured advice about my wife's washing-board. She only has
it a couple of years, and the last time she used it was when she washed
out my Sunday shirt and her black skirt with the red things on it--you
know the one?"

"I do not," said the Philosopher.

"Well, anyhow, the washboard is gone, and my wife says it was either
taken by the fairies or by Bessie Hannigan--you know Bessie Hannigan?
She has whiskers like a goat and a lame leg!" "I do not," said the
Philosopher.

"No matter," said Meehawl MacMurrachu. "She didn't take it, because my
wife got her out yesterday and kept her talking for two hours while
I went through everything in her bit of a house--the washboard wasn't
there."

"It wouldn't be," said the Philosopher.

"Maybe your honour could tell a body where it is then?"

"Maybe I could," said the Philosopher; "are you listening?"

"I am," said Meehawl MacMurrachu.

The Philosopher drew his chair closer to the visitor until their knees
were jammed together. He laid both his hands on Meehawl MacMurrachu's
knees "Washing is an extraordinary custom," said he. "We are washed both
on coming into the world and on going out of it, and we take no pleasure
from the first washing nor any profit from the last."

"True for you, sir," said Meehawl MacMurrachu.

"Many people consider that scourings supplementary to these are only due
to habit. Now, habit is continuity of action, it is a most detestable
thing and is very difficult to get away from. A proverb will run where
a writ will not, and the follies of our forefathers are of greater
importance to us than is the well-being of our posterity."

"I wouldn't say a word against that, sir," said Meehawl MacMurrachu.

"Cats are a philosophic and thoughtful race, but they do not admit the
efficacy of either water or soap, and yet it is usually conceded that
they are cleanly folk. There are exceptions to every rule, and I once
knew a cat who lusted after water and bathed daily: he was an unnatural
brute and died ultimately o