his half open mouth, and his breath smelt very strongly of
whiskey.

Keegan, finding that his host did not seem bent on hospitality, was
edging himself into the room, when Feemy, who had heard his address
to her father, came out to the old man's relief, and told the visitor
that he was not just himself that morning--that Thady was out, but
that she would desire him to call at Mr. Keegan's office the next
day.

"Ah! Miss Feemy, and how's your pretty self this morning?--and is it
the fact what we hear down at Carrick, that we are to have a wedding
soon at Ballycloran? Ah! well, of course you wouldn't be after
telling me, but I was very glad to hear it; that I was, Miss Feemy.
But, Mr. Macdermot--it was your father, Miss Feemy, I was wishing to
see this morning, not Mr. Thady--if you could allow me ten minutes or
so--just a message from our old friend, Flannelly:"--and by this time
Keegan had wedged his way into the room, out of which any one who
knew him would be very sure he would not stir, until he had said what
he had come to say.

Larry, hobbling back after him, sat himself down in his accustomed
chair, and Feemy, as if to protect her father in her brother's
absence, followed him.

"It's very hard, then, Mr. Keegan, that you should come up here; as
if sending your processes, and latitats, and distraining, weren't
enough, but now you must--"

"Ah! my dear Sir, it's not about such disagreeable business at
all--we're done with all that. It's not about such business at
all. When I've disagreeable jobs to do--of course we must have
disagreeable jobs sometimes--why, I always send some of my
disagreeable fellows to do it; but when I've good news, why I like to
bring it myself, and that's why I rode down this morning."

Larry, stupid as he was, couldn't be talked round by the attorney so
easily.

"If it's good news you have, why shouldn't Thady hear it then? I am
sure, poor fellow, he hears enough of bad news from you one way or
another. And I tell you I can't understand business to-day, and
Flannelly's bill doesn't come round till next month--I know that; and
so, if you plaze, Thady can hear what you have to say, at Carrick,
on Saturday or Monday, or any day you plaze. Feemy, my darling, get
something for Mr. Keegan to eat. I'll be glad to see you eat a bit,
but I can't talk any more." And the old man turned himself away, and
began groaning over the fire.

"You see, Mr. Keegan, my father can't go to business thi