r, I'd spake a word
against the absent; but any way, he's a good round thrifle, one way or
the other, out of your pocket, from Jinny-warry to December."

"Darby, my good man, and most impertinent scoundrel, if you wish
to retain your present situation, never open your lips against that
excellent gentleman, Mr. Hickman. Mark my words--out you go, if I ever
discover that you mention him with disrespect."

"Well, I won't then; and God forgive me for spakin' the truth--when it's
not right."

"Did you see the Mulhollands?"

"Mr. Hickman again, sir, an' bad luck to---- Beg pardon, sir, I forgot.
Throth, sir, when I mentioned the duty work an' the new aveny, they
whistled at you."

"Whistled at me!"

"Yes, sir; an' said that Mr. Hickman tould them to give you neither duty
fowl nor duty work, but to do their own business, and let you do yours.
Ay, and 'twas the same from all the rest."

"Well," said Val, going to the window and looking abroad for a minute
or two,--"well--so much for Ballymackscud; now for its next neighbor,
Ballymackfud."

"Mr. Hickman again, sir. The divil sweep the same Hickman, any way,"
said Darby, in an aside, which he knew the other could easily hear. "Out
of the whole townland, sir, all I got was two men for the aveny--a goose
from Barney Scadden, and her last ten, along wid half-a-dozen eggs, from
that dacent creature, widow M'Murt. Throth four fine little clildre she
has, if they had anything on them, or anything to keep body and sowl
together."

"You warned them all, of course?"

"Every sowl in the townland of Ballymackt 'ud; and there's the upshot.
But it's all Mr. Hickman, sir; for he tould them--'I will have none of
this work,' says he; 'the tenants musn't be harrished and fleeshed
in this manner,' says he. Yes, your honor, that's the upshot from
Ballymackfud--two day's work--a sick goose (for I disremembered
to mention that Barney said, wid a wink, that she'd require great
attintion, as she was in a delicate state of health)--one ould hen, and
a half-a-dozen eggs; which wouldn't be the case, only for Hickman--not
but he's a very respectable gentleman--by all accounts."

"I told you before, sirra, that I will have nothing offensive to him
mentioned in my presence. Give this letter to Mr. M'Slime, and bring me
an answer as soon as you can. Will you have a glass of spirits?"

"Would it be intherfairin' wid my duty, sir?"

"If you think so, don't take it; you ought to know best."

"