“No, in throth; it was given out on us, but we never wor, Phelim. Nothin' ever passed betune us but common civility. He thrated my father an' mother wanst to share of half a pint in the Lammas Fair, when I was along wid them; but he never broke discoorse wid me barrin', as I sed, in civility an' friendship.” “An' do you mane to put it down my throath that you never had a sweetheart at all?” “The nerra one.” “Oh, you thief! Wid two sich lips o' your own, an' two sich eyes o' your own, an' two sich cheeks o' your own! Oh,--, by the tarn, that won't pass.” “Well, an' supposin' I had--behave Phelim--supposin' I had, where's the harm? Sure it's well known all the sweethearts, you had, an' have yet, I suppose.” “Be gorra, an' that's thruth; an' the more the merrier, you jewel you, till, one get's married. I had enough of them, in my day, but you're the flower o' them all, that I'd like to spend my life wid”--(a squeeze.) “The sorra one word the men say a body can trust. I warrant you tould that story to every one o' them as well as to me. Stop Phelim--it's well known that what you say to the colleens is no gospel. You know what they christened you 'Bouncin' Phelim!” “Betune you an' me, Peggy, I'll tell you a sacret; I was the boy for deludin them. It's very well known the matches I might a got; but you see, you little shaver, it was waitin' for yourself I was.” “For me! A purty story indeed I'm sure it was! Oh, afther that! Why, Phelim, how can you----Well, well, did any one ever hear the likes?” “Be the vestments, it's thruth. I had you in my eye these three years, but was waitin' till I'd get together as much money as ud' set us up in the world dacently. Give me that egg-shell agin. Talkin's dhruthy work. _Shudorth, a rogarah!_ (* This to you you rogue) an' a pleasant honeymoon to us!” “Wait till we're married first, Phelim; thin it'll be time enough to dhrink that.” “Come, acushla, it's your turn now; taste the shell, an' you'll see how lovin' it'll make us. Mother's milk's a thrifle to it.” “Well, if I take this, Phelim, I'll not touch another dhrop to-night. In the mane time here's whatever's best for us! Whoo! Oh, my! but that's strong! I dunna how the people can dhrink so much of it!” “Faith, nor me; except bekase they have a regard for it, an' that it's worth havin' a regard for, jist like yourself an' me. Upon my faix, Peggy, it bates all, the love an likin' I have for you, an' ever had these three years past. I tould you about the eyes, mavourneen, an'--an'--about the lips--” “Phelim--behave--I say--now stop wid you--well--well--but you're the tazin' Phelim!--Throth the girls may be glad when you're married,” exclaimed Peggy, adjusting her polished hair.