being angry with you; you are a devilish pleasant hearty fellow, only
something a little too rough about the tongue."

"Never mind, Val, by all accounts it would be easy to reckon them; but
seriously, is it true that the lower joint of your right thumb is horny,
in consequence of having caught the character of your conscience from
having kissed it so often?"

"Go on, Brian, go on; to be sure it is; they may say what they like--I
am not depending upon them, and I care little. But now, Brian, there
is one thing I will say, and I have long wished for an opportunity of
saying it."

"That's my bully, out with it; don't be dashed, Val, you'll get over
your modesty; upon my credit you will--ha! ha! ha!"

"D--n it, you can't be serious for a minute; but no matter, I will
out with it--here's your health and fireside, in the mean time!" Brian
merely nodded in reply, but said nothing. "Now you know, Brian, your
farm and mine lie very snugly beside one another; observe that that's
what I begin with."

"Very good."

"Again, your family and mine live very close to one another, too."

"Very good."

"Now, what if part of the farms, and part of the families were to become
united, and get spliced together, eh?"