"So, sir, after much more talk, away he ran, and never stopped till he came home; and the Gubbaun had just returned from his work, and findin' the house so lonesome, was almost repentin' he'd ever sent Boofun away. Glad he was, though, when Boofun came in, and gave him a great account of all he had done; but what was his joy when Boofun drew forth the sheep's skin, and counted out the money. Well, after some of the joy was over, the Gubbaun put on a very long, sarious face, 'And now, Boofun,' says he, 'don't as you love me,' says he, 'deny any thing I ask,' says he, 'but tell me the truth. I know, you needn't tell me, it was a woman that thought of the plan of skinning the fleece, for no _man_ in Ireland would think of it but myself.' "'Faix, then, so she said herself,' says Boofun. "'Hah! well, I knew it was a _she_; but was she young or owld? for, by my trowel and hammer!' says he, 'the owld ones are _sometimes_ as cute as any!' "O, then, she was young, and handsome, too, and rich beside,' says he. "'O, never mind the riches,' says the Gubbaun, 'for half a grain of sinse is worth a ton of it; but you're my darlin' son at last, and be off at the first light of morning,' says he, 'and take the best horse I have, and put on the best clothes you have, and bring her home--and I'll engage she comes.' "Long before the Gubbaun was up, Boofun started; and not many hours was he on the road, when he met the very same young lady, an' she goin' to market all by herself. Well, sir, they had a great salutation, an' he coaxed her to take a sate on the horse. She wanted to get off at the market, but it wouldn't do, sir; and he came to his father's house airly in the evening. "Well, you'd think, sir, the Gubbaun knew it all. Some said surely that he could foretell. There was the house, all beautiful and nate, and a most splendid intertainment on the table; there was a large party of the Gubbaun's friends, and plenty of all that was good. "And the Gubbaun was the boy that _could_ intertain them all. And, sir, when all were in high good-humor, and herself laughing and jokin' with Boofun, then he brought forward _the match_. To be sure, she was very shy, and ashamed, the crayther, (all by herself, you may say,) but you know, sir, even now, as we see every day, a match isn't long comin' round, when the parties are willin' an' the _spaykers_ are good. So it was now; she agreed to lave all for Boofun--and she did well. To make my long story short, in a few days they were married; and in the meantime they had got _her_ friends' consint. And a great weddin' they had." "Well, Tom, now we've got them well married, jump up for some turf! don't you see the fire's a'most out?" "O, then, that your honor may never want for a good fire, I pray." "Yes, Jimmy, nor a _good warrant_, like yourself, to tell a good story."