Go where he might, honest Jemmy was attended by honest Gerald,
like his fetch. At mass, at market, in every fair throughout the country
was Cavanagh sure to bring up the subject of the marriage; and what
was the best of it, he and his neighbor drank each other's healths so
repeatedly on the head of it, that they often separated in a state that
might be termed anything but sober. Nay, what is more, it was a fact
that they had more than once or twice absolutely arranged the whole
matter, and even appointed the day for the wedding, without either of
them being able to recollect the circumstances on the following morning.
Whilst at breakfast on the morning in question, Burke, after finishing
his first cup of tea, addressed his worthy son as follows:--
"Hycy, do you intend to live always this way?"
"Certainly not, Mr. Burke. I expect to dine on something more
substantial than tea."
"You're very stupid, Hycy, not to understand me; but, indeed, you never
were overstocked wid brains, unfortunately, as I know to my cost--but
what I mane is, have you any intention of changing your condition in
life? Do you intend to marry, or to go on spendin' money upon me at this
rate!"
"The old lecture, Mrs. Burke," said Hycy, addressing his mother.
"Father, you are sadly deficient in originality. Of late you are
perpetually repeating yourself.
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