I think, too, you're not the same boy you wor
afore you tuck to swearin' the alibies.
"Faith, an' I doubt I'll haye to get some one to swear an alibi for
myself soon," Phelim replied.
"Why, blessed hour!" said Larry, "didn't I often tell you never to join
the boys in anything that might turn out a hangin' matther?"
"If this is not a hangin' matther," said Phelim, "it's something nearly
as bad: it's a marryin' matther. Sure I deluded another since you seen
me last. Divil a word o' lie in it. I was clane fell in love wid this
mornin' about seven o'clock."
"But how did you get the money, Phelim?"
"Why, from the youthful sprig that fell in love wid me. Sure we're to be
'called' in the Chapel on Sunday next."
"Why thin now, Phelim! An' who is the young crathur? for in throth she
must be young to go to give the money beforehand!"
"Murdher!" exclaimed Phelim, "what's this for! Was ever any one done
as I am? Who is she! Why she's--oh, murdher, oh!--she's no other
than--hem--divil a one else than Father O'Hara's housekeeper, ould Biddy
Doran!"
The mirth of the old couple was excessive. The father laughed till he
fell off his stool, and the mother till the tears ran down her cheeks.
"Death alive; ould man! but you're very merry," said Phelim. "If you wor
my age, an' in such an' amplush, you'd laugh on the wrong side o' your
mouth.
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