When I went in to where he sat I found Mr.
Fethertonge the agent wid him: he had a night-cap on, an' was sittin'
in a big armchair, wid one of his feet an' a leg swaythed wid flannel. I
thought he was goin' to write or sign papers. 'Well, M'Mahon,' says
he--for he was always as keen as a briar, an' knew me at once--'what do
you want? an' what has brought you from the country?' I then spoke to him
about the new lease; an' he said to Fethertonge, 'prepare M'Mahon's
lease, Fothertonge;--you shall have a new lease, M'Mahon. You are an
honest man, and your family have been so for many a long year upon
our property. As my health is unsartin,' he said, turning to Mr.
Fethertonge, 'I take Mr. Fethertonge here to witness, that in case
anything should happen me I give you my promise for a renewal--an' not
only in my name alone, but in my son's; an' I now lave it upon him to
fulfil my intentions an' my words, if I should not live to see it done
myself. Mr. Fethertonge here has brought me papers to sign, but I am not
able to hould a pen, or if I was I'd give you a written promise; but
you have my solemn word, I fear my dyin' word, in Mr. Fethertonge's
presence--that you shall have a lease of your farm at the ould rint. It
is such tenants as you we want, M'Mahon, an' that we ought to encourage
on our property.
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