“Ay, but I'm disturbed about what he said going out, Hycy. I don't half like the face he had on him when he said it; and when he comes to discover other things, too, money matthers--there will be no keepin the house wid him.” “I fear as much,” said Hycy; “however, we must only play our cards as well as we can; he is an impracticable man, no doubt of it, and it is a sad thing that a young fellow of spirit should be depending on such a-- “'Ye banks and braes o' bonnie Doon, How can you bloom so fresh and fair, How can ye chant, ye little birds, And I sae weary fu' o' care, &c., &c. “Well, well--I do not relish that last hint certainly, and if other projects should fail, why, as touching the fair Katsey, it might not be impossible that--however, time will develop. She is a fine girl, a magnificent creature, no doubt of it, still, most maternal relative, as I said, time will develop--by the way, Mrs. M'Mahon, the clodhopper's mother, is to be interred to-morrow, and I suppose you and 'the gentleman' will attend the funeral.” “Sartinly, we must.” “So shall 'the accomplished.' Clinton and I shall honor that lugubrious ceremony with our presence; but as respecting the clodhopper himself, meaning thereby Bryan of Ahadarra, he is provided for. What an unlucky thought to enter into the old fellow's noddle! However, _non constat_, as Finigan would say, time will develop.” “You're not gainin' ground with him at all events,” said his mother; “ever since that Crazy Jane affair he's changed for the worse towards both of us, or ever since the robbery I ought to say, for he's dark and has something on his mind ever since.” “I'm in the dark there myself, most amiable of mothers; however, as I said just now, I say time will develop.” He then began to prepare himself for the business of the day, which consisted principally in riding about seeking out new adventures, or, as they term it, hunting in couples, with Harry Clinton. CHAPTER XIII.--Mrs. M'Mahon's Funeral.