_O’Bla._ Never fear, never fear. Time enough to think of shuting you, when you’ve done my business. [_Exit PAT._ That will work like harm, and ould Matthew, the father, I’ll speak to, myself, genteelly. He will be proud, I warrant, to match his daughter with a gentleman like me. But what if he should smell a rat, and want to be looking into my affairs? Oh! I must get it sartified properly to him before all things, that I’m as safe as the bank; and I know who shall do that for me--my worthy friend, that most consequential magistrate, Mr. Carver of Bob’s Fort, who loves to be advising and managing of all men, women, and children, for their good. ‘Tis he shall advise ould Matthew for _my_ good. Now Carver thinks he lades the whole county, and ten mile round--but who is it lades him, I want to know? Why, Gerald O’Blaney.--And how? Why, by a spoonful of the universal panacea, _flattery_--in the vulgar tongue, _flummery_. (_A knock at the door heard._) Who’s rapping at the street?--Carver of Bob’s Fort himself, in all his glory this fair-day. See then how he struts and swells. Did ever man, but a pacock, look so fond of himself with less rason? But I must be caught deep in accounts, and a balance of thousands to credit. (_Sits down to his desk, to account books._) Seven thousand, three hundred, and two pence. (_Starting and rising._) Do I see Mr. Carver of Bob’s Fort?--Oh! the honour-- _Mr. Carv._ Don’t stir, pray--I beg--I request--I insist. I am by no means ceremonious, sir. _O’Bla._ (_bustling and setting two chairs_) No, but I’d wish to show respect proper to him I consider the first man in the county. _Mr. Carv._ (_aside_) Man! gentleman, he might have said. [_Mr. CARVER sits down and rests himself consequentially._ _O’Bla._ Now, Mr. Carver of Bob’s Fort, you’ve been over fartiguing yourself-- _Mr. Carv._ For the public good. I can’t help it, really. _O’Bla._ Oh! but, upon my word and honour, it’s too much: there’s rason in all things. A man of Mr. Carver’s fortin to be slaving! If you were a man in business, like me, it would be another thing. I must slave at the desk to keep all round. See, Mr. Carver, see!--ever since the day you advised me to be as particular as yourself in keeping accounts to a farthing, I do, to a fraction, even like state accounts, see! _Mr. Carv._ And I trust you find your advantage in it, sir. Pray, how does the distillery business go on? _O’Bla._ Swimmingly! ever since that time, Mr. Carver, your interest at the castle helped me at the dead lift, and got that fine took off. ‘Tis to your purtiction, encouragement, and advice entirely, I owe my present unexampled prosperity, which you prophesied; and Mr. Carver’s prophecies seldom, I may say never, fail to be accomplished. _Mr. Carv._ I own there is some truth in your observation. I confess I have seldom been mistaken or deceived in my judgment of man, woman, or child. _O’Bla._ Who can say so much?