Corcoran's erudition.
When the latter came in, Jemmy was taking the tumbler of punch which the
farmer's wife had mixed for him; on this he fixed an expressive glance,
which instantly reverted to the _vanithee_, and from her to the large
bottle which stood in a window to the right of the fire. It is a quick
eye, however, that can anticipate Irish hospitality.
"Alley," said the farmer, ere the wife had time to comply with the hint
conveyed by the black, twinkling eye of the schoolmaster; "why, Alley"--
"Sure, I am," she replied, "an' will have it for you in less than no
time."
She accordingly addressed herself to the bottle, and in a few minutes
handed a reeking jug of punch to the _Farithee_, or good man.
"Come, Masther, by the hand o' my body, I don't like dhry talk so long
as I can get anything to moisten the discoorse. Here's your health,
Masther," continued the farmer, winking at the rest, "and a speedy
conclusion to what you know! In throth, she's the pick of a good
girl--not to mintion what she has for her portion. I'm a friend to the
same family, an' will put a spoke in your wheel, Masther, that'll sarve
you."
"Oh, Mr. Lanigan, very well, sir--very well--you're becoming quite
facetious upon me," said the little man, rather confused; "but upon my
credit and reputation, except the amorous inclination and regard to me
is on her side," and he looked sheepishly at his hands, "I can't say
that the arrows of Cupid have as yet pinethrated the sintimintal side of
my heart.
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