Cornelius.  Hwat d’ye think, Father Dempsey?

Father Dempsey [indulgently] Well, he hasn’t much sense, God help him; but for the matter o that, neither has our present member.

Doran.  Arra musha he’s good enough for parliament what is there to do there but gas a bit, an chivy the Goverment, an vote wi dh Irish party?

Cornelius [ruminatively].  He’s the queerest Englishman I ever met.  When he opened the paper dhis mornin the first thing he saw was that an English expedition had been bet in a battle in Inja somewhere; an he was as pleased as Punch!  Larry told him that if he’d been alive when the news o Waterloo came, he’d a died o grief over it.  Bedad I don’t think he’s quite right in his head.

Doran.  Divil a matther if he has plenty o money.  He’ll do for us right enough.

Matthew [deeply impressed by Broadbent, and unable to understand their levity concerning him].  Did you mind what he said about rethrenchment?  That was very good, I thought.

Father Dempsey.  You might find out from Larry, Corny, what his means are.  God forgive us all! it’s poor work spoiling the Egyptians, though we have good warrant for it; so I’d like to know how much spoil there is before I commit meself. [He rises.  They all rise respectfully].

Cornelius [ruefully].  I’d set me mind on Larry himself for the seat; but I suppose it can’t be helped.

Father Dempsey [consoling him].  Well, the boy’s young yet; an he has a head on him.  Goodbye, all. [He goes out through the gate].

Doran.  I must be goin, too. [He directs Cornelius’s attention to what is passing in the road].  Look at me bould Englishman shakin hans wid Fadher Dempsey for all the world like a candidate on election day.  And look at Fadher Dempsey givin him a squeeze an a wink as much as to say It’s all right, me boy.  You watch him shakin hans with me too:  he’s waitn for me.  I’ll tell him he’s as good as elected. [He goes, chuckling mischievously].

Cornelius.  Come in with me, Mat.  I think I’ll sell you the pig after all.  Come in an wet the bargain.

Matthew [instantly dropping into the old whine of the tenant].  I’m afeerd I can’t afford the price, sir. [He follows Cornelius into the house].

Larry, newspaper still in hand, comes back through the shrubbery.  Broadbent returns through the gate.

Larry.  Well?  What has happened.

Broadbent [hugely self-satisfied].  I think I’ve done the trick this time.  I just gave them a bit of straight talk; and it went home.  They were greatly impressed:  everyone of those men believes in me and will vote for me when the question of selecting a candidate comes up.  After all, whatever you say, Larry, they like an Englishman.  They feel they can trust him, I suppose.

Larry.  Oh ! they’ve transferred the honor to you, have they?