with condescension, as she glanced coquettishly at my ruddy face and eyes that twinkled under the old cap, I suspect,—
"'You can wait here while I run up, and get the money, if master is awake.'
"'Ye haven't the heart of a woman, Mary, to kape the poor crater out there when it's kilt wid the could he is,' said the buxom cook; adding, in a motherly tone, 'Come in wid yez, my man, and set till the fire, for it's bitter weather the day.'
"'Faix an' it is, ma'm, thankin' ye kindly,' I answered, with a fine brogue, for as a lad I had played the Irishman with success.
"The good soul warmed to me at once, and, filling a mug with coffee, gave it to me with a hearty—
"'A hot sup will do you no harrum, me b'y, and sure in the blessid Christmas time that's just foreninst us, the master won't begrudge ye a breakfast; so take a biscuit and a sassage, for it's like ye haven't had a mouthful betwixt your lips the day.'
"'That I will,' said I; 'and it's good luck and a long life to ye I'm drinkin' in this illegint coffee.'
