`There's no knowing,' said the old man.

`O, but I know it for a fact,' said Mr Henchy. `They're Castle hacks... I don't say Hynes... No, damn it, I think he's a stroke above that... But there's a certain little nobleman with a cock-eye — you know the patriot I'm alluding to?'

Mr O'Connor nodded.

`There's a lineal descendant of Major Sirr for you if you like! O, the heart's blood of a patriot! That's a fellow now that'd sell his country for fourpence — ay — and go down on his bended knees and thank the Almighty Christ he had a country to sell.'

There was a knock at the door.

`Come in!' said Mr Henchy.

A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway. His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman's collar or a layman's, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candle-light, was turned up about his neck. He wore a round hat of hard black felt. His face, shining with raindrops, had the appearance of damp yellow cheese save where two rosy spots indicated the cheek-bones. He opened his very long mouth suddenly to express disappointment and at the same time opened wide his very bright blue eyes to express pleasure and surprise.

`O, Father Keon!' said Mr Henchy, jumping up from his chair. `Is that you? Come in!'

`O, no, no, no,' said Father Keon quickly, pursing his lips as if he were addressing a child.

`Won't you come in and sit down?'

`No, no, no!' said Father Keon, speaking in a discreet, indulgent, velvety voice. `Don't let me disturb you now! I'm just looking for Mr Fanning... '

`He's round at the Black Eagle,' said Mr Henchy. `But won't you come in and sit down a minute?'