Not a little surprising was it to Mehicle to observe his friend Aidey, every morning, after having come out of the farmer’s house, (where he had spent the night,) walk straight through this nasty, wet, boggy place, to the great detriment of the nice clothing of his nether man; but what still more astonished him was, that just when he was about to leave off work, he saw Aidey, as he was coming to the farmer’s hopping and jumping as he neared the trench, and clearing it at a bound. Mehicle, who as I have hinted, was ever inquisitive, could at last no longer bear to see Aidey going on in this manner, and determined not only to inquire the reason of this strange behavior, but also to try to have his hand in the making of the match, if such was in view; and accordingly, when Aidey appeared next morning, after having as usual covered himself with bog-dirt and mud, in blundering through the trench, he went forward to meet him, and they addressed each other with the usual salutations. Let me detail their conversation, as Mehicle used to relate it, and fond was that very same boy to tell over all the adventures, schemes and diplomacies, in his life of _Shanahusy_. “Good morrow, Mehicle! God bless your work.”[1] “And you likewise, Aidey. How are you to-day?” “Why, then, middlin’, only! but there’s no use in complainin’!” “Indeed, faix, Aidey, you’re airly up! but an’ sure they say it’s the airly thrushes get the airly worms. Whisper! what are you about above here at big house?” “What house? Is it Brian Mungavan’s you the mane?” “Yes, to be sure!” “Ah! _myself_ that knows that! Maybe, though, I might tell _you_, in the course of time, and maybe yourself might assist me for a bit.” “Oho! is that the way? Well _that_ it may thrive with you! _That’s_ a business, at any rate, that serves all men, includin’ the priests!” “And Shanahuses!” said Aidey, grinning, “and I ever knew you to be a capital one!” “Well, I’m glad you’re going to make a trial of me, and I say again, _that_ it may thrive with you! But, aisy awhile, and answer me one question. I’ve been noticing you, and I’ve seen you passing backward and forward, these few days past, being, as you see, diggin’ the place of a half acre of pratees for myself, and every morning, when you used to be coming out of owld Brian Mungavan’s house, and over that wet place beyant, you used to walk straight through it, and not mind the wet one straw; but when you used to be going in to Brian’s when I was lavin’ off work for the day, and when I was wairy and tired enough myself, it’s then I used to see you give a hop and a jump, and clear the trench in flyin’ colors. And faith it’s not such a bad jump aither, not at all; and it’s no wonder (so it isn’t) that you’d like to carry a dry shoe in to _herself_; but why shouldn’t you do the same when you’re comin’ out?”