MRS. GRANAHAN.

Two poun" ten is due.

[Thinking.]

Aye. But I suppose you"ll be now in what I would call a good way o"

doin".

 

TAYLOR.

There was a five per cent. dividend this half year. The creamery"s goin" on well.

[Searching in pocket and getting out account.]

Two pounds, nine and six, ma"am, beggin" your pardon.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Ach sure sixpence is naither here nor there to a creamery.

[Pauses.]

If that"s the way you are, you could be married in a year"s time and--

TAYLOR.

[Evidently desirous to lead conversation off this topic.]

Here"s the money, ma"am.

[He lays it down on the table and counts it out.]

You"ll do as well as Mr. Granahan, I suppose. You take all to do with the money part I think.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Yes I do. You were at the lecture last Monday?

TAYLOR.

[Alarmed.]

What the divil--

[Suddenly to Mrs. Granahan and genially.]

Yes. Could you oblige me with a receipt ma"am?

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Surely. Here Ellen, get me the pen and ink.

[Ellen goes into room.]

I suppose now there were some nice young weemin there--eh Mr. Taylor?

TAYLOR.

[Uneasily.]

Yes. And don"t forget the stamp ma"am.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Ach sure a penny stamp"s what you always carry wi" ye.

[Confidentially.]

I think shame on ye Mr. Taylor, triflin" wi" the poor girls. There"s no excuse for a man o" your age.

TAYLOR.

[Fidgeting.]

Well, well, I--Here"s a stamp ma"am.

[Impatiently.]

I"m young enough yet. I don"t want to marry yet awhile.

MRS. GRANAHAN.

Well now I think ye"d be better o" some one to look after ye. There"s William John Granahan. _He"s_ niver done bein" thankful since he married. He says he doesn"t know what he mightn"t ha" been, if he hadn"t married _me_.

TAYLOR.

© 2024 www.topnovel.cc