I must confis I was always bright, but at present I'm as
dark as Nox. I'd thank you for a taste of explanation."
"Asy, man alive! Is there twelve in all?"
"Twelve in all: I've calculated them."
"Well, we'll hould to that. Och, och!--I'm sure, avourneen, afore
I'd let you suffer one minute's pain, I'd not scruple to take an oath
against liquor, any way. He may go an wid the masses now for you, as
soon as he likes! Mr. O'Flaherty, will you put that down on paper,--an'
I'll swear to it, wid a blessin', to-morrow."
"But what object do you wish to effectuate by this?"
"You see, Masther, I dhrink one day wid another from a score to two
dozen tumblers, an' I want to swear to no more nor twelve in the
twenty-four hours."
"Why, there's intelligibility in that!--Wid great pleasure, Mr.
Connell, I'll indite it. Katty, tare me a lafe out o' Brian Murphy's
copy there."
"You see, Masther, it's for Ellish's sake I'm doin' this. State that in
the oath."
"I know it; an' well she desarved that specimen of abstinence from you,
Misther Connell. Thank you!--Your health agin! an' God grant you grace
an' fortitude to go through wid the same oath!--An' so he will, or I'm
greviously mistaken in you."
"OATH AGAINST LIQUOR,
made by me, Cornelius O'Flaherty, Philomath, on behalf
of Mr.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208