162 THE GARDEN OF A 



gown bought, and the date set for Christmas, after 

 all the talk of the fine house Patsy's mother was 

 to deed to them on the wedding day?" 



"That same talk's the meat of the trouble en- 

 toirely, Dalia give out about the day and the 

 house, Mrs. Doolan she smoiled an' says, 'There's 

 toime enough yet. Patsy's but a lad, only thirty- 

 five come Easter next. Av course, and him my only 

 son and me a widdy, when I bespoke Dalia for him ' 

 (for they do say it was the mother that fixed the 

 match to plaze him, Patsy bein' too bashful), ' I 

 give promise o' the house on the weddin' day,' givin' 

 a big wink, ' but that same day is not yit set.' 



" Dalia claimed she'd bring Mother Doolan round 

 all so fine, and worked Patsy to backing her up, for 

 as they'd been keepin' company, two years come 

 Michaelmas, she'd the right of thinkin' of being 

 settled, and settled now it is. It wor well before 

 dark Hallowe'en when Patsy come creepin' up the 

 lane wid Dalia, she laughin' and confident, well 

 pleased wid herself, and castin' her black eyes 

 around sassy like. But he wor unaisy, and all 

 broken out on the face wid sweat, though a cool 

 evenin'. 



" Says I to my oldest daughter Kate, who was 

 home, there bein' a strike in the shoeshop, ' Puttin* it 



