"No?" queried the barman. "Well, an' that's not a bad idea at all. It's the right sthart fur a bad day an' a bad sthart fur a right wan. 'Tis th' divil's own way av showin' wan's sintimints." Then, reaching for the glass, he added: "I'll do th' honors fur th' two av us"; and with the singular tendency, so often noted under such circumstances, to swallow with haste that which it required such trouble to prepare, the barman bolted the contents of the glass and looked his appreciation through moist eyes. As Dennis neared the establishment of his employer, he recalled his obligation. He must begin the day by informing the foreman of his changed intentions. He disliked the idea of the possible friction involved in the performance of this disagreeable duty, but there seemed to be no other way out of the dilemma. His announcement, however, was to be less embarrassing than he anticipated. His providence was about to take a short nap. As he approached the foreman, he discovered that individual, several degrees less breezy than usual, engaged in an animated conversation with a young man whose prevailing expression was so penitential that Dennis, with prompt Celtic intuition, decided that he was gazing upon his predecessor in office. He was assured of this by the glance of belligerent appraisement with which the young fellow surveyed him from head to foot, in response to some suggestive indication from the foreman. He seemed, to the apprehensive eyes of Dennis, to be calculating his chances in the event of a physical contest. And this recalled what the foreman had said about his biceps. "You want to see me?" queried the latter with an expression in which the sunshine seemed overdue. "Yes," answered Dennis as his employer stepped aside to hear what he had to say. As Dennis proceeded the look of perplexity which he had noted upon the face of his listener seemed to give way to one of unmistakable relief, and when Dennis had stated his case he exclaimed: "Shure, now, it's an aisy way out av a bad muss, so it is. Here, Phil!" he shouted, turning to the young fellow in the background, who had witnessed this brief interview with scowling interest, "here, you two can t'row th' gloves down an' shake; Muldoon here wants to hand yure job back to ye." At this announcement, the disfavor in the countenance of the other disappeared and was replaced by an expression which indicated that he regarded such liberality as something in the nature of a freak. Some evidences of his debauch still clung to him. His eyes were moist and heavy-lidded; his lips dry and tremulous, and the hand which he extended to Dennis shook somewhat. "Come, now!" exclaimed the foreman, "that's well over"; and addressing the one he called Phil he added: "Now get to work." Dennis looked his astonishment.