After  some  few  observations  on  general
matters,  O'FIaherty  began  with  a  tone  of
some  seriousness  to  express  towards  Cud-
more  the  warm  interest  he  had  ever  taken
in  him,  since  his  first  coming  among  them;
his  great  anxiety  for  his  welfare,  and  his
firm  resolve  that  no  chance  or  casual  inat-
tention to  mere  ceremonial  observances  on


his  part  should  ever  be  seized  on  by  the
other  guests  as  a  ground,  for  detraction  or
an  excuse  for  ridicule  of  him.
"  Eely  upon  it,  my  dear  boy,"  said  he,
"I  have  watched  over  yon  like  a  parent;
and  having  partly  foreseen  that  something
like  this  affair  of  to-night  would  take  place
sooner  or  later "

"  What  affair  ?"  said  Cudmore,  his  eyes
staring  half  out  of  his  head.
"  The  business  of  the  kettle."

"  Kett— el.  The  kettel  !  What  of
that  ?"  said  Cudmore.
"  What  of  it  ?  Why,  if  you  don't  feel  it,
I  am  sure  it  is  not  vnj  duty  to  remind  you;
only "

"Feel  it — oh  yes.  I  saw  them  laughing
because  I  spilled  the  water  over  old  Mrs.
