AND HOW I HAVE CAUGHT MY FISH 123 



the raised shamrock that no price will buy them 

 of me. 



Fashion is a factor in Irish life, the influence of 

 which was sufficient with a girl at Ardara to cause 

 her to attend school without her boots because the 

 wearing of them would ensure remarks from her 

 schoolfellows. In some parts it appears to be quite 

 correct for gates and fences to be broken, for doors 

 to be off their hinges, and for weeds to grow every- 

 where, even on cottage roofs. A spick-and-span 

 homestead, where the cabin walls are as white as 

 lime-wash can make them, and further distinguished 

 by a covering of slates instead of straw, is rare 

 and attracts the eye. 



It was in such a home that I found Mr. and 

 Mrs. Ryan and their widowed daughter. I had been 

 told, " It's just a rale ould gintleman and lady you'll 

 be finding within the same." It was the daughter 

 who answered my knock and invited me inside. 

 Mr. Ryan and his wife were sitting one on each 

 side of the great open fireplace, and, judging by the 

 fact that there was a stirring-spoon in her hand and 

 on the fire a crock which gave forth savoury whiffs 

 from time to time, as the lid was lifted by accumu- 

 lated steam, she was preparing the midday meal. 

 It was not so easy to discover why Ryan was there 

 on such a hot day, but later on I knew that he was 

 "coorting." Why not? He is an Irishman and 

 only seventy-three. They rose simultaneously 

 and said simultaneously, " Welcome to you, sorr." 



