Ireland 131 



in difi'erent rooms in the house, where they could be got 

 at a minute's notice in case of need. People very soon 

 got used to such a state of things, and lawn-tennis 

 parties, cricket matches, etc., went on just the same 

 as if Westmeath were in the heart of England. A sharp 

 watch was ever kept all the same ; and there were few 

 people who would not have fired at sight, if a man had 

 been seen skulking suspiciously behind a wall on the way 

 home. 



