attempts and continued inability to relieve his father from his
difficulties; and he determined to endeavour to screen him.

His success with McGovery, whom he had made to disbelieve his own
senses, and with Cullen, who was ready enough to take his superior's
views in any secular affair, had been complete; and he did not think
that either would now be likely to repeat the story in a manner that
would do any injury. We shall, in a short time, see what steps he
took in the matter with Thady himself. In the meanwhile, we will
follow him into Mrs. McKeon's house, at whose door he had now
arrived.

CHAPTER XV.

THE M'KEONS.

When Father John opened the wicket gate leading into the small
garden which separated Mrs. McKeon's house from the street, he saw
her husband standing in the open door-way, ruminating. Mr. McKeon
was said to be a comfortable man, and he looked to be so; he was
something between forty-five and fifty, about six feet two high, with
a good-humoured red face. He was inclined to be corpulent, and would
no doubt have followed his inclination had he not accustomed himself
to continual bodily activity. He was a great eater, and a very great
drinker; it is said he could put any man in Connaught under the
table, and carry himself to bed sober. At any rate he was never seen
drunk, and it was known that he had often taken fifteen tumblers of
punch after dinner, and rumour told of certain times when he had made
up and exceeded the score.

He was comfortable in means as well as in appearance. Though Mr.
McKeon had no property of his own, he was much better off than many
around him that had. He had a large farm on a profitable lease; he
underlet a good deal of land by con-acre, or corn-acre;--few of my
English readers will understand the complicated misery to the poorest
of the Irish which this accursed word embraces;--he took contracts
for making and repairing roads and bridges; and, altogether, he
contrived to live very well on his ways and means. Although a very
hard-working man he was a bit of a sportsman, and usually kept one
or two well-trained horses, which, as he was too heavy to ride
them himself, he was always willing, and usually able, to sell
at remunerating prices. He was considered a very good hand at a
handicap, and understood well--no one better--the dangerous mysteries
of "knocking." He was sure to have some animal to run at the
different steeple-chases in the neighbourhood, and it was ge