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166 THE WONDERFUL TUNE |
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land, should you prefer that. But, notwithstanding, in Ballinskellig Bay there is a neat bit of ground, well fitted for diversion, and down from it, towards the water, is a clean smooth piece of strand, the dead image of a calm summer's sea on a moonlight night, with just the curl of the small waves upon it.
Here it was that Maurice's music had brought from all parts a great gathering of the young men and the young women ; for 'twas not every day the strand of Trafraska was stirred up by the voice of a bagpipe. The dance began ; and as pretty a dance it was as ever was danced. ' Brave music,' said everybody, ' and well done,' when Maurice stopped.
' More power to your elbow, Maurice, and a fair wind in the bellows,' cried Paddy Dorman, a humpbacked dancing master, who was there to keep order. ' 'Tis a pity,' said he, ' if we'd let the piper run dry after such music ; 'twould be a disgrace to Iveragh, that didn't come on it since the week of the three Sundays.' So, as well became him, for he was always a decent man, says he, ' Did you drink, piper ? '
' I will, sir,' said Maurice, answering the question on the safe side, for you never yet knew piper or schoolmaster who refused his drink.
' What will you drink, Maurice ? ' says Paddy.
' I'm no ways particular,' says Maurice ; ' I drink anything, barring raw water ; but if it's all the same to you, Mister Dorman, may be you wouldn't lend me the loan of a glass of whisky.'
' I've no glass, Maurice,' said Paddy; ' I've only the bottle.'
' Let that be no hindrance,' answered Maurice; ' my mouth just holds a glass to the drop ; often I've tried it sure.'
So Paddy Dorman trusted him with the bottle— more fool was he ; and, to his cost, he found that though Maurice's mouth might not hold more than the glass |
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