The miser looked upon this exhibition of feeling with some surprise; but as his was not a heart susceptible of the impressions it was calculated to produce, he only said in a tone of indifference: 

“Well, to be sure now, Mave, I didn’t expect to see you shakin’ hands wid and kissin’ Condy Dalton’s wife, at any rate, considerin’ all that has happened atween the families.  However, it’s good to be forgivin’; I hope it is; indeed I know that; for it comes almost to a feelin’ in myself.  Well, achora, what am I to do for you?”

“Will you let me speak to you inside a minute?” she asked.

“Will I?  Why, then, to be sure I will; an’ who knows but it’s my daughter-in-law I might have you yet, avillish! Yourself and Darby’s jist about an age.  Come inside, ahagur.”

Their dialogue was not of very long duration.  Skinadre, on returning to the scales, weighed two equal portions of oatmeal, for one of which Mave paid him.

“I will either come or send for this,” she said laying her hand on the one for which she had paid.  “If I send any one, I’ll give the token I mentioned.”

“Very well, a suchar—­very well,” he replied; “it’s for nobody livin’ but yourself I’d do it; but sure, now that I must begin to coort you for Darby, it won’t be aisy to refuse you for anything in raison.”

“Mind, then,” she observed, as she seized one of the portions, in order to proceed home; “mind,” said she, laying her hand upon that which she was leaving behind her; “mind it’s for this one I have paid you.”

“Very well, achora, it makes no difference; sure a kiss o’ them red, purty lips o’ yours to Darby will pay the inthrest for all.”

Two other females now made their appearance, one with whom our readers are already acquainted.  This was no other than the prophet’s wife, who had for her companion a woman whom neither she herself nor any one present knew.

“Mave Sullivan, darlin’,” exclaimed the former, “I’m glad to see you.  Are you goin’ home, now?”

“I am, Nelly,” replied Mave, “jist on my step.”

“Well, thin, if you stop a minute or two, I’ll be part o’ the way wid you.  I have somethin’ to mention as we go along.”

“Very well, then,” replied Mave; “make as much haste as you can, Nelly, for I’m in a hurry;” and an expression of melancholy settled upon her countenance as she spoke.

The stranger was a tall thin woman, much about the age and height of the prophet’s ’wife, but neither so lusty nor so vigorous in appearance, She was but indifferently dressed, and though her features had evidently been handsome in her younger days, yet there was now a thin, shrewish expression about the nose, and a sharpness about the compressed lips, and those curves which bounded in her mouth, that betokened much firmness if not obstinancy in her character, joined to a look which might as well be considered an indication of trial and suffering, as of a temper naturally none of the best.