( 12 )
advanced boldy to him, and then cutted off his foot.
Tom. O then what a big fool was you; for you ought first to have cutted of his head, Teag. Arra dear shoy his head was cutted off before I engaged him, else I had not done it.
Tom. O then Pady, you acted like a fool; but you are not such a big fool as many take you to be; you might pass for a philosopher. Teag. Assulusisair! my father was a sulusisair, besides he was a man under great authority by law, condemning the just and clearing the guilty; do you know how they call the hories mother.
Tom. Why they call her a mare; Teag. A mare, ay very well minded, by shaint Patrick, my father was mare in Cork.
Tom. And what riches was left you by the death of your mother?
Teag. A bad luck to her old barren belly, for he lived in great plenty, and died in great poverty; devoured up all or he died, but two hens and a peckful of potatoes, a poor estate for an Irish gentleman in faith.
Tom. And what did you make of your hens and potatoes, did you sow them? Teag, Ana dear shoy, I sowed them in my belly; and sold the hens to eadger.
Tom. And what business did your mother follow after? Teag, Greatly in the merchant-way!
Tom. And what sort of goods did she deal in?
Teag. Dear honey, she went through the country and sold small fishes, onions and apples; bought hens and eggs, and then hatch’d them herself: I remember of one long-necked cock the had of an over sea brood, that he stood on the midden and pick'd all the stars out of the nurwest, so they were never so thick there since.
