After a few moments’ consultation they separated and Larry made his way toward O’Hara’s. The freight engines, as usual, were coughing up and down the tracks, hissing and straining at their trailing loads. O’Hara was repairing the fire brick in an old stove outside; his sleeves were turned up and he was soot to the elbows. “I want to talk to youse,” said Larry, as he paused. “Yez are an early caller!” exclaimed O’Hara, delightedly. “But, faith,” poking him in the ribs, “I t’ought yez’ed called long afore this, b’y. She’s a smart slip av a girl, Larry.” He led the young man through the store and back into the kitchen. The sisters sprang up tumultuously. “Larry, asthore,” piped Ellen, “sure an’ it’s a glad heart I have this day. Glory be! bud yez are fitted for wan another. Sit down; she’ll be here this minyute; she do be only gone as far as the church.” “I seen her,” said Larry. “I was talkin’ to her.” Bridget shrieked with mirth. “Lave the young wans alone!” cried she. “They’ll see each other, niver fear. Arrah, avic, it’s the great b’y yez are.” “She told me,” went on Larry, “all about it.” “About how foolish she wur?” questioned O’Hara. “She’s seen it, have she. Bud, niver fear b’y, niver fear.” “It wasn’t Rosie what was foolish, O’Hara, it was youse. Didn’t ye see that there was two ends to this t’ing. Ye scared her, and then t’ought youse was all to the good, didn’t ye? But yer out o’ line: ye can’t play me; I won’t have it.” “What talk have ye, Larry?” “Ah, ye know damn well what I mean! Youse t’ink yer a hot guy, O’Hara, but ye’ll buy a gold brick some day, le’me tell youse that. Ye’ll go flat on yer back wit’out a cent in yer pants.” “Divil take ye, have yez gone crazy!” “I’m tellin’ ye what’s right, ain’t I?” “Shame on ye, Larry Murphy!” exclaimed Bridget, “is poor Mary’s dyin’ words--” “Say, cut that out! I won’t’ stand for any o’ youse draggin’ _her_ into yer little game.” “God forgi’ yez!” cried Ellen. “Oh, God forgi’ yez.” O’Hara strove to look impressive. “Iv any wan had towld me,” said he, “that yez had no rayspect for Mary, I would’ve towld him that he lied!” Larry laughed. “That’s a slashin’ good jolly,” remarked he. “It might have worked, too; on’y I’m next to yer little scheme,” he paused a moment, regarding O’Hara, soberly. “Say,” he resumed “I didn’t come to see youse on’y about that, but to do youse a good turn if ye’ll on’y let me.” “What have ye till say?” inquired O’Hara. “Come into the store,” said Larry, with a glance at the two old women. “This t’ing’s private.” They re-entered the store. O’Hara closed the door, while Larry seated himself upon the end of the counter. “Clancy,” began the latter, “owes youse money.” “He do,” admitted O’Hara. “Six hundred dollars, an’ ’tis due the day.” “What d’youse t’ink his grocery’ed bring if ye sold him out?” “About half av it, bad scram till him,” said O’Hara, viciously. “McGonagle owes youse somethin’, too, don’t he?”