Sure it wasn't in the likes o' this we wor livin' when times was good." Three of the youngest children were playing about on the floor.

"That's a very fine lad," said I, pointing to one of them.

The little fellow blushed, and smiled, and then became very still and attentive.

"Ah, thin," said his mother, "that villain's the boy for tuckin' up soup! The Lord be about him, an' save him alive to me,--the crayter !.

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