―Are you a strict t. t. ? says Joe.

―Not taking anything between drinks, says I.

―What about paying our respects to our friend? says Joe.

―Who? says I. Sure, he’s in John of God’s off his head, poor man.

―Drinking his own stuff? says Joe.

―Ay, says I. Whisky and water on the brain.

―Come around to Barney Kiernan’s, says Joe. I want to see the citizen.

―Barney mavourneen’s be it, says I. Anything strange or wonderful, Joe?

―Not a word, says Joe. I was up at that meeting in the City Arms.