'Now, Mickey, I've hopes for you.

Let me see,' here he went countin' upon his fingers, and numberin' to himself for five minutes.

'Mickey,' says he, 'I've a batch coming out on Tuesday week, and if you were to make great exertions, perhaps your father could come with them; that is, av they have made no objections.' "'And what for would they ?' says I; 'he was always the hoith of company, and av singing's allowed in them parts--' "'God forgive you, Mickey, but yer in a benighted state,' says he, sighing.
"'Well,' says I, 'how'll we get him out on Tuesday week?
For that's bringing things to a focus.' "'Two Masses in the morning, fastin',' says Father Roach, half aloud, 'is two, and two in the afternoon is four, and two at vespers is six,' says he; 'six Masses a day for nine days is close by sixty Masses,--say sixty,' says he; 'and they'll cost you--mind, Mickey, and don't be telling it again, for it's only to yourself I'd make them so cheap--a matter of three pounds.' "'Three pounds!' says I; 'be-gorra ye might as well ax me to give you the rock of Cashel.' "'I'm sorry for ye, Mickey,' says he, gatherin' up the reins to ride off,--'I'm sorry for ye; and the time will come when the neglect of your poor father will be a sore stroke agin yourself.' "'Wait a bit, your reverence,' says I,--'wait a bit.

Would forty shillings get him out ?' "'Av course it wouldn't,' says he.
"'May be,' says I, coaxing,--'may be, av you said that his son was a poor boy that lived by his indhustry, and the times was bad--' "'Not the least use,' says he.
"'Arrah, but it's hard-hearted they are,' thinks I.'Well, see now, I'll give you the money, but I can't afford it all at onst; but I'll pay five shillings a week.

Will that do ?' "'I'll do my endayvors,' says Father Roach; 'and I'll speak to them to treat him peaceably in the meantime.' "'Long life to yer reverence, and do.