`I haven't such a bad opinion of the Jesuits,' he said, intervening at length. `They're an educated order. I believe they mean well, too.'

`They're the grandest order in the Church, Tom,' said Mr Cunningham, with enthusiasm. `The General of the Jesuits stands next to the Pope.'

`There's no mistake about it,' said Mr M'Coy, `if you want a thing well done and no flies about, you go to a Jesuit. They're the boyos have influence. I `Il tell you a case in point... '

`The Jesuits are a fine body of men,' said Mr Power.

`It's a curious thing,' said Mr Cunningham, `about the Jesuit Order. Every other order of the Church had to be reformed at some time or other, but the Jesuit Order was never once reformed. It never fell away.'

`Is that so?' asked Mr M'Coy.

`That's a fact,' said Mr Cunningham. `That's history.'

`Look at their church, too,' said Mr Power. `Look at the congregation they have.'

`The Jesuits cater for the upper classes,' said Mr M'Coy.

`Of course,' said Mr Power.

`Yes,' said Mr Kernan. `That's why I have a feeling for them. It's some of those secular priests, ignorant, bumptious—'

`They're all good men,' said Mr Cunningham, `each in his own way. The Irish priesthood is honoured all the world over.'

`O yes,' said Mr Power.

`Not like some of the other priesthoods on the Continent, said Mr M`Coy, `unworthy of the name. '

`Perhaps you're right,' said Mr Kernan, relenting.

`Of course I'm right,' said Mr Cunningham. `I haven't been in the world all this time and seen most sides of it without being a judge of character.'