Then we could hear them
within the hut, gabbling merrily, and could see them moving about briskly
in the candlelight, through the window and open door. An old Irishwoman
sat in the door of another hut, under the influence of an extra dose of
rum,--she being an old lady of somewhat dissipated habits. She called to
B------, and began to talk to him about her resolution not to give up her
house: for it is his design to get her out of it. She is a true virago,
and, though somewhat restrained by respect for him, she evinced a sturdy
design to remain here through the winter, or at least for a considerable
time longer. He persisting, she took her stand in the doorway of the
hut, and stretched out her fist in a very Amazonian attitude. "Nobody,"
quoth she, "shall drive me out of this house, till my praties are out of
the ground." Then would she wheedle and laugh and blarney, beginning in
a rage, and ending as if she had been in jest. Meanwhile her husband
stood by very quiet, occasionally trying to still her; but it is to be
presumed, that, after our departure, they came to blows, it being a
custom with the Irish husbands and wives to settle their disputes with
blows; and it is said the woman often proves the better man.
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