"
"Divil a bit."
Now, we simply ask the reader which dialogue is in the more appropriate
keeping with the characters of honest, candid Jemmy and Cooney?
"And now," proceeded Cooney, "regard-in' this match between your
youngest daughter Margaret, and my son Toal."
"Why, as for myself," replied Murray, "sorra much of objection I have
aginst it, barrin' his figure; if he was about a foot and a half
higher, and a little betther made--God pardon me, an' blessed be the
maker--there would, at all events, be less difficulty in the business,
especially with Peggy herself."
"But couldn't you bring her about?"
"I did my endayvors, Cooney; you may take my word I did."
"Well, an' is she not softenin' at all?"
"Upon my sounds, Cooney, I cannot say she is. If I could only get her to
spake one sairious word on the subject, I might have some chance; but I
cannot, Cooney; I think both you an' little Toal had betther give it up.
I doubt there's no chance."
"Faith an' the more will be her loss. I tell you, Jemmy, that he'd outdo
either you or me as a meal man. What more would you want?"
"He's cute enough, I know that."
"I tell you you don't know the half of it. It's the man that can make
the money for her that you want."
"But aginst that, you know, it's Peggy an' not me that's to marry him.
Now, you know that women often--though not always, I grant--wish to
have something in the appearance of their husband that they needn't be
ashamed to look at.
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