Then they saw it!" I asked him at what figure he put the income of Father M'Fadden from his parish.

Without a moment's hesitation he answered, "It's over a thousand pounds a year, sir, and nearer twelve hundred than eleven." I expressed my surprise at this, the whole rental of Captain Hill, the landlord, falling, as I had understood, below rather than above L700 a year; and Gweedore, as Father Walker had told me, containing fewer houses than Burtonport.
"Fewer houses, mayhap," said the sergeant, "though I'm not sure of that; but if fewer they pay more.

There's but one curate--poor man, he does all the parish work, barring the high masses, and a good man he is, but he gets L400 a year, and that is but a third of the income!" I asked by what special stipends the priest's income at Gweedore could be thus enhanced.

"Oh, it's mainly the funeral-money that helps it up," he replied.

"You see, sir, since Father M'Fadden came to Gweedore it's come to be the fashion." "The fashion ?" I said.
"Yes, sir, the fashion.