can read us like
big print.'

'So far as I see you wish for a strong despotism.'

'In one way it would suit us well. Do you see, major, what a weak
administration and uncertain laws do? They set every man in Ireland about
righting himself by his own hand. If I know I shall be starved when I am
turned out of my holding, I'm not at all so sure I'll be hanged if I shoot
my landlord. Make me as certain of the one as the other, and I'll not shoot
him.'

'I believe I understand you.'

'No, you don't, nor any Cockney among you.'

'I'm not a Cockney.'

'I don't care, you're the same: you're not one of us; nor if you spent
fifty years among us, would you understand us.'

'Come over and see me in Berkshire, Kearney, and let me see if you can read
our people much better.'

'From all I hear, there's not much to read. Your chawbacon isn't as cute a
fellow as Pat.'

'He's easier to live with.'

'Maybe so; but I wouldn't care for a life with such people about me. I like
human nature, and human feelings--ay, human passions, if you must call them
so. I want to know--I can make some people love me, though I well know
there must be others will hate me. You're all for tranquillity all over in
England--a quiet life you call it. I like to live without knowing what's
coming, and to feel all the time that I know enough of the game to be able
to play it as well as my neighbours. Do you follow me now, major?'

'I'm not quite certain I do.'

'No--but I'm quite certain you don't; and, indeed, I wonder at myself
talking to you about these things at all.'

'I'm much gratified that you do so. In fact, Kearney, you give me courage
to speak a little about myself and my own affairs; and, if you will allow
me, to ask your advice.'

This was an unusually long speech for the major, and he actually seemed
fatigued when he concluded. He was, however, consoled for his exertions by
seeing what pleasure his words had conferred on Kearney; and with what
racy self-satisfaction, that gentleman heard himself mentioned as a 'wise
opinion.'

'I believe I do know a little of life, major,' said he sententiously. 'As
old Giles Dackson used to say, "Get Mathew Kearney to tell you what he
thinks of it." You knew Giles?'

'No.'

'Well, you've heard of him? No! not even that. There's another proof of
what I was saying--we're two people, the English and the Irish. If it
wasn't so, you'd be no stranger to the sayings and doings of one of the
cutest men