When he had secured the provender, and was ready to resume his journey,
he began to yawn, and to exhibit the most unequivocal symptoms of
fatigue.

"Arrah, sir," said he to the steward, "you wouldn't have e'er an ould
barn that I'd throw myself in fwhor the night? The sarra leg I have to
put undher me, now that I've got stiff with the sittin' so lang; that,
an' a wishp o' sthraw, to sleep an, an' Gad bliss you!"

"Paddy, I cannot say," replied the steward; "but I shall ask my master,
and if he orders it, you shall have the comfort of a hard floor and
clean straw, Paddy--that you shall."

"Many thanks to you, sir: it's in your face, in thrath, the same gudness
an' ginerosity."

The gentleman, on hearing Phil's request to be permitted a
sleeping-place in the barn, was rather surprised at his wretched notion
of comfort than at the request itself.

"Certainly, Timmins, let him sleep there," he replied; "give him sacks
and straw enough. I dare say he will feel the privilege a luxury,
poor devil, after his fatigue. Give him his breakfast in the morning,
Timmins. Good heavens," he added, "what a singular people! What an
amazing progress civilization must make before these Irish can be
brought at all near the commonest standard of humanity!"

At this moment Phil, who was determined to back the steward's request,
approached them.