“Oh, but, sir,” pleaded Mary, turning her battery of smiles on him, “my aunt Bridgie would be shockingly disappointed if you won’t honour her, after making the tay and all; she’s the real manager and mistress since me poor mother took bad, and I’m only good, as she’ll tell you, for a little nursing, and minding the hens and the flowers. I hope you will stay?” Bence Usher was astonished to find himself presently drawn up at a table, spread with a clean coarse cloth, and seated before a steaming slice and a steaming cup, _tête-à-tête_ with the two peasant women. “No milk,” he cried, remembering the scene on the dresser. “No milk,” echoed his sister. “So it goes in families, misliking milk,” remarked Mrs. Grogan gravely. “I hope the tay is to your taste? I get the best, like me poor sister, four shillings and sixpence the pound. None of yer cheap mixtures!” (There is no one in the world so particular respecting her tea, as the Irishwoman of the lower middle class.) Mary, he noticed, was exceedingly dainty about her food, and reduced her share of cake to a mere slice, half of which she shared with the dog. “That’s a handsome terrier,” he remarked; “he looks thoroughbred. Where did you get him?” “He was given to me mother as a house watch, when he was a pup.” “Your people are not from this part of the world?” remarked Miss Usher. “Any one can see that, Mary!” “Deed then they are, ma’am,” she replied emphatically; “and where else? Why wouldn’t I be Kerry born and bred?” “Because you are so unlike the other people, who have dark hair and blue or grey eyes, and are more strongly built; and you----” “Oh, yes,” she interrupted, “I’m aware I’m altogether different--very small-boned, wid red hair and brown eyes, and no colour to spake of, but it’s just a chancey thing, like a piebald horse--or a blue-eyed cat; we can’t all be cut out on the same pattern.” Mary was doing the honours of the feast; her aunt had undertaken the part of servant, and she now stepped gracefully into the rôle of hostess. Her manners were charming and fascinating; even Mr. Usher, laden as he was with care and apprehension, fell under their spell. In a kind of dream he ate a dangerous supply of soda bread, and disposed of two cups of strong tea; for as this most fascinating creature chattered away to him, he forgot both his digestion and his duties. “Oh, faix, it’s not every day we have a gentleman to tay, I tell ye! If me poor mother was stirring, she’d be a proud and happy woman to see yer honour sitting here,” declared Mary. “And how is she?” “Just dozing now within in the room. She’s had one of her bad turns, but I nursed her out of it. Oh, she’s awfully changed since her mind gave way.” “And do you think she really is--peculiar?”