508 The Fresh Water Whale. [MAY, 



" Well, no matter; maybe I am, I was going to say; and what's more, 

 I will say, it's hard for Providence to take the butter off my bread, and 

 plaster it upon yours, just so. But I'll be content, and think all things is 

 for the best. You're welcome to the place, Blundus ; but if it was any 

 but yourself that took it this way, we'd see. I'll now go give back his 

 money to Thady Purcell, and then" 



" You don't mean to say he's paid you ? If you do, it strikes me, 

 cousin, you've just a right to tell him" 



" Thady, boy, there's your money ; that's all I've a right to tell him ; 

 and I know it. You've bad thoughts in your head, Blundus ; so, for fear 

 o your persuading me out o' my conscience, I'll stop my ears, if you 

 speak a word more about him." 



" But don't you see, Luckie, if he bought" 



" Oh ! hubbaboo, man, I won't hear you. But before 1 go, I'll say 

 again, you're welcome to my land, since you'll condescend to take it." 



" But you needn't leave it, because its mine ; you shall be the mistress, 

 Luckie." 



" Suppose you brought home a wife by-and-by." 



" Maybe I might, who knows ? There's proud O'Conner's daughter, 

 now that my township is fertilized" 



" E' then, if you married her, Blundus, I'd go to law with you in good 

 earnest, and sell my life itself to get my rights. No, Blundus, I'll not 

 darken your door ; but what I'm to do I don't know. I think I'll go 

 marry ould Murphy, or Jack Darrigan, or Nick England, or one of them, 

 that's been bothering me so !" 



" If you did then, cousin, if you could demean yourself, you that's 

 next kin to an O'Rindan." 



" So you've sworn often ; and its true for you, Blundus, as they say of 

 you, you're the dog in the manger. But, na bocklish ! Since it 

 wouldn't plaze you, I'll keep single, so I will ; and if you'll lend me the 

 loan of a slip of your township that my land hasn't reached, above there 

 beyond your castle, you'll see I'll get on." 



" What you ask, I couldn't refuse. But, do you mark ; you'll take it 

 as my tributary and peppercorn tenant, for I'll not part with my rights and 

 emoluments of wreckage, keelage, anchorage" 



" You don't expect another whale, do you ?" 



" What harm, then, if I did ? O'Conner's land lies awkward, now that 

 the bog's in motion ; I think I must make room for it. This that is come 

 mayn't be the whole o' my promised Canaan." " But," added he, 

 gently drawing Luckless into his arms, " we'll kiss and be cousins, for all 

 this that has happened, won't we Luckie ?" 



" VVe will," replied Luckie, " as long as you'll let us." 



" Faith, Luckie ! you feel and look as if you ought to go with the 

 farm." 



" You'll give me a couple of pigs, Blundus ?" 



" In course, darling." 



" And maybe a calf?" 



" By this other kiss I will." 



" And why not a cow? Sure you wouldn't feel the loss of her." 



" Nay, nay ! if its cows you're coming to," said Blundus, withdrawing 

 from the protracted and somewhat tender embrace into which he had been 

 betrayed, " if its cows you're coming to, Miss O'Carrol " 



