_Ton._ Ah, Mike! Brushing up? That’s good. I do like to see a busy man. Where’s Zeb?
_Mike._ Faith, I don’t know. It’s moighty little he’s shown of his face at all, at all.
_Ton._ The lazy scamp! that’s just like him. No doubt he’s down at the Corners dancing jigs, or turning flip-flaps for coppers.
_Mike._ Faix, that’s what yer might call turning an honest penny!
_Ton._ It’s a little early. They’ll soon be dropping in. Heigho, Mike! was you ever in love?
_Mike._ Ah! away wid yer, now! Ask an Irishman such a silly question as that! Musha, it’s nearly kilt I am wid the love of Nora Honey. Ah! but the ould man’s got rich _peddling panuts_.
_Ton._ A rich father, who does not encourage your attentions!
_Mike._ Sorra a bit. “Mike,” sez he,--and it’s moighty winning he is in his way,--“the front uv my door is illigantly painted on the outside,--much finer than the inside; and you’d do well to examine it whin you’re passing by,--whin you’re passing by, mind.”
_Ton._ Meaning, “I won’t turn you out, but you can’t stay here.”
_Mike._ That’s jest what he meant. Faith, it’s well posted yez are in the trials and tribulations uv the tinder passion.
_Ton._ Yes, Mike; I can sympathize with you. I’m desperately in love myself.
_Ton._ Yes, and with the daughter of a rich man, and my love is returned. Ah, Mike! she is the paragon of loveliness!--the otto of roses!--the pink of purity.
_Mike._ The shaving-cream uv perfiction, and the hair-oil uv illigance! Oh, murther! they’re all alike till they find you’ve no money.
_Ton._ Ah! but she’s entirely different, Mike. She is willing--nay, anxious--to share my humble fortunes. ’Tis I who dread to take her from all the rich comforts she has enjoyed, and ask her to share--
_Mike._ Love in a cottage, wid bacon and greens! Faith, you’re right: it’s a mighty foine picter, but hard of digestion. What says the ould gintleman?
_Mike._ And yer haven’t asked his consint?
_Ton._ No: it would be useless. He has declared his daughter shall marry only a rich man; that he will not let her walk, ride, or receive the visits of any young man; that he will cut her off with a shilling should she marry _without his consent_.
_Ton._ He is encouraging the attentions of young Simper, whom the young lady detests, and whom he only tolerates because he has a rich father.