26o LIFE IN IRELAND 



much novelty attached to it, that you can't find it out 

 by yourself. 



It is necessary, said Brian, for me to write to the 

 County of Galway ; and I, said Sir Shawn, have to 

 see my Steward^ so we will part for an hour or two. 



The affairs of Brian Boru were now in a favourable 

 condition, and for which he was chiefly indebted to 

 his good friend Grammachree, whom he now made 

 agent to all his estates, with unlimited power ' to do 

 good, be honest, and fear no man living.' 



Whilst he was writing, Patrick Mooney took leave to 

 introduce his body, and with all proper humility began 

 — ' May it plase your honour's worship's glory to give 

 me an audience for a half minute or two or three ? ' 

 — Well, my friend, what do you want? — Why, your 

 honour once told me to remind you in the morning of 

 writing to Judy Macaitalty ; and many 's the morning 

 past and gone since you did so : but some bother or 

 other always kept it out of my mind to do so : now, 

 your honour, I think she 's hard up, by reason her 

 friends don't look upon her since you and she cajoled 

 together. — I understand you, Mooney, said his master; 

 but she is well taken care of, and shall never want. — 

 That 's all I want to know^ ; and the devil's luck follow 

 the fellow that don't love you, and all that belongs to 

 you : och, och, Brian Boru's family would never see 

 a poor woman want, because she was so good natur'd 

 as to oblige them with a trifle now and again. 



An't plase your honour, I had a small letter from 

 the Priest yesterday, if you would condiscind to read it 

 to me. 



That I will, said Brian, for I love and esteem Father 



