But then, when in that state, he would blab terribly.

It was much with the view of keeping him from that state, that under the present circumstances the son remained with the father.

To do the father justice, it may be asserted that he knew his own weakness, and that, knowing it, he had abstained from heavy drinking since he had taken in hand this great piece of diplomacy.
"But you must be hungry, governor; won't you take a bit of something ?" "Shall we get you a steek, Mr.Mollett ?" asked Miss O'Dwyer, hospitably, "or just a bit of bacon with a couple of eggs or so?
It wouldn't be a minute, you know ?" "Your eggs are all addled and bad," said Mr.Mollett; "and as for a beef-steak, it's my belief there isn't such a thing in all Ireland." After which civil speech, Miss O'Dwyer winked at Aby, as much as to say, "You see what a state he's in." "Have a bit of buttered toast and a cup of tea, governor," suggested the son.
"I'm d---- if I do," replied the father.

"You're become uncommon fond of tea of late--that is, for other people.

I don't see you take much of it yourself." "A cup of tay is the thing to warm one afther such a journey as you've had; that's certain, Mr.Mollett," said Fanny.
"Them's your ideas about warming, are they, my dear ?" said the elderly gentleman.