Father Dempsey.  I’ll say good-night, Mr Broadbent.  If there’s anything I can do for you in this parish, let me know. [He shakes hands with Broadbent].

Broadbent [effusively cordial].  Thank you, Father Dempsey.  Delighted to have met you, sir.

Father Dempsey [passing on to Aunt Judy].  Good-night, Miss Doyle.

Aunt Judy.  Won’t you stay to tea?

Father Dempsey.  Not to-night, thank you kindly:  I have business to do at home. [He turns to go, and meets Patsy Farrell returning unloaded].  Have you left that hamper for me?

Patsy.  Yis, your reverence.

Father Dempsey.  That’s a good lad [going].

Patsy [to Aunt Judy] Fadher Keegan sez—­

Father Dempsey [turning sharply on him].  What’s that you say?

Patsy [frightened].  Fadher Keegan—­

Father Dempsey.  How often have you heard me bid you call Mister Keegan in his proper name, the same as I do?  Father Keegan indeed!  Can’t you tell the difference between your priest and any ole madman in a black coat?

Patsy.  Sure I’m afraid he might put a spell on me.

Father Dempsey [wrathfully].  You mind what I tell you or I’ll put a spell on you that’ll make you lep.  D’ye mind that now? [He goes home].

Patsy goes down the hill to retrieve the fish, the bird, and the sack.

Aunt Judy.  Ah, hwy can’t you hold your tongue, Patsy, before Father Dempsey?

Patsy.  Well, what was I to do?  Father Keegan bid me tell you Miss Nora was gone to the Roun Tower.

Aunt Judy.  An hwy couldn’t you wait to tell us until Father Dempsey was gone?

Patsy.  I was afeerd o forgetn it; and then maybe he’d a sent the grasshopper or the little dark looker into me at night to remind me of it. [The dark looker is the common grey lizard, which is supposed to walk down the throats of incautious sleepers and cause them to perish in a slow decline].

Cornelius.  Yah, you great gaum, you!  Widjer grasshoppers and dark lookers!  Here:  take up them things and let me hear no more o your foolish lip. [Patsy obeys].  You can take the sammin under your oxther. [He wedges the salmon into Patsy’s axilla].

Patsy.  I can take the goose too, sir.  Put it on me back and gimme the neck of it in me mouth. [Cornelius is about to comply thoughtlessly].

Aunt Judy [feeling that Broadbent’s presence demands special punctiliousness].  For shame, Patsy! to offer to take the goose in your mouth that we have to eat after you!  The master’ll bring it in for you. [Patsy, abashed, yet irritated by this ridiculous fastidiousness, takes his load up the hill].

Cornelius.  What the jeuce does Nora want to go to the Roun Tower for?